Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fort Smith, AR Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fort Smith, AR

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,817 in Fort Smith, AR, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,712 in Fort Smith, AR, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,606 in Fort Smith, AR, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 71% more than Fort Smith, AR, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Fort Smith, AR sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Fort Smith, AR by 35%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$15.05 $15.05

35.48%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$50.5 $50.5

94.53%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$8.60 $8.60

40.35%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$4.17 $4.17

37.41%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 $2.97

$2.18 $2.18

36.24%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.89 $1.89

30.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$3.89 $3.89

79.69%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$6.14 $6.14

33.71%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.02 $1.02

2.94%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.02 $3.02

35.10%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$2.07 $2.07

165.70%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$2.99 $2.99

55.18%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$7.35 $7.35

95.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$9.28 $9.28

63.79%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$14.28 $14.28

35.01%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.52 $4.52

13.72%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.29 $1.29

36.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$2.52 $2.52

72.22%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$2.19 $2.19

99.09%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.61 $1.61

51.55%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$1.56 $1.56

78.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.76 $1.76

43.18%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$1.97 $1.97

35.03%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$6.94 $6.94

114.70%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$15.23 $15.23

-1.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.65 $1.65

48.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$2.51 $2.51

41.04%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.23 $1.23

97.56%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$35.18 $35.18

111.85%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$2.96 $2.96

12.16%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.29 $1.29

6.98%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$36.48 $36.48

-31.17%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.78 $0.78

39.74%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.9K $31.9K

$25.9K $25.9K

22.94%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K $26.8K

$26.3K $26.3K

2.00%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$187 $187

$237 $237

-21.07%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$63.5 $63.5

$57.1 $57.1

11.20%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$72.2 $72.2

-9.27%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$26.93 $26.93

181.06%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

$15.73 $15.73

-17.04%

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$10.97 $10.97

34.91%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,025 $2,025

$778 $778

160.15%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$23.9K $23.9K

62.98%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$51.6 $51.6

24.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$33.09 $33.09

56.33%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$69.3 $69.3

38.05%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$76.4 $76.4

89.74%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$691 $691

236.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$674 $674

138.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$1,476 $1,476

218.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$1,332 $1,332

104.36%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$1,516 $1,516

152.62%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$1,544 $1,544

64.02%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$3,038 $3,038

67.86%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.45

2.33%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for Fort Smith, AR: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $691 in Fort Smith, AR. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 68% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $51.0 in Fort Smith, AR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $306 – making Fort Smith, AR the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Chicago, IL vs Fort Smith, AR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $1,817 in Fort Smith, AR – roughly 71% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,726 in Fort Smith, AR. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Fort Smith, AR, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 47% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $51.0 in Fort Smith, AR. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Fort Smith, AR, where all-in costs run around $1,817, than in Chicago, IL at $3,111. In Fort Smith, AR it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,817 in Fort Smith, AR to $3,111 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Fort Smith, AR. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.