Cost of Living in Fort Smith, AR - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $813 (excluding rent), and $1,791 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,907 (excluding rent), and $3,636 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.23 $15.23

$10.16 $10.16

$40.62 $40.62

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.1 $50.1

$32.05 $32.05

$80.1 $80.1

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.60 $8.60

$12.14 $12.14

Cappuccino

$4.12 $4.12

$2.92 $2.92

$7.79 $7.79

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

$2.22 $2.22

$1.73 $1.73

$2.96 $2.96

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.53 $1.53

$3.07 $3.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.04 $4.04

$3.53 $3.53

$20.18 $20.18

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.07 $6.07

$5.06 $5.06

$11.12 $11.12

Milk (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$0.63 $0.63

$1.27 $1.27

White Bread (500g)

$2.98 $2.98

$1.62 $1.62

$4.45 $4.45

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.10 $2.10

$1.99 $1.99

$5.65 $5.65

Eggs

$3.00 $3.00

$1.89 $1.89

$4.08 $4.08

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.67 $7.67

$6.78 $6.78

$20.36 $20.36

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.02 $9.02

$5.41 $5.41

$14.85 $14.85

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.49 $14.49

$11.05 $11.05

$30.94 $30.94

Apples (1kg)

$4.50 $4.50

$4.03 $4.03

$6.15 $6.15

Banana (1kg)

$1.25 $1.25

$0.96 $0.96

$3.40 $3.40

Oranges (1kg)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.45 $2.45

$4.44 $4.44

Tomato (1kg)

$2.18 $2.18

$6.46 $6.46

Potato (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$0.90 $0.90

$3.40 $3.40

Onion (1kg)

$1.50 $1.50

$3.27 $3.27

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.84 $1.84

$1.03 $1.03

$3.09 $3.09

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.10 $1.10

$3.57 $3.57

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.01 $7.01

$6.51 $6.51

$9.40 $9.40

Wine (Bottle)

$11.39 $11.39

$5.94 $5.94

$19.81 $19.81

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.14 $1.14

$4.03 $4.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.61 $2.61

$1.43 $1.43

$6.08 $6.08

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.22 $1.22

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.55 $34.55

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.05 $3.05

$2.55 $2.55

$3.05 $3.05

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.27 $1.27

$1.57 $1.57

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$36.63 $36.63

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.72 $0.72

$0.67 $0.67

$0.83 $0.83

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

$25.9K $25.9K

$23.5K $23.5K

$36.1K $36.1K

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.4K $25.4K

$32.0K $32.0K

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

$230 $230

$160 $160

$428 $428

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

$55.7 $55.7

$34.31 $34.31

$106 $106

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.3 $72.3

$63.8 $63.8

$118 $118

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$27.16 $27.16

$20.37 $20.37

$35.64 $35.64

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.79 $15.79

Cinema Ticket

$11.12 $11.12

$9.10 $9.10

$16.18 $16.18

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

$781 $781

$611 $611

$917 $917

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.4K $23.4K

$16.8K $16.8K

$27.2K $27.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.5 $53.5

$20.37 $20.37

$127 $127

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.55 $33.55

$30.19 $30.19

$47.81 $47.81

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.6 $69.6

$60.4 $60.4

$121 $121

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.0 $76.0

$59.5 $59.5

$139 $139

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$681 $681

$548 $548

$947 $947

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$664 $664

$467 $467

$836 $836

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,496 $1,496

$1,211 $1,211

$1,816 $1,816

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,302 $1,302

$1,038 $1,038

$1,780 $1,780

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,535 $1,535

$1,601 $1,601

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,521 $1,521

$1,485 $1,485

$1,549 $1,549

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,061 $3,061

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

4.3

7.5

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

Last update: January 10, 2026

Fort Smith, AR Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

318

Mbps

140

Mbps

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Fort Smith, AR - Frequently Asked Questions

If you're weighing where to base yourself, consider the Cost of Living in Fort Smith, AR, United States. The city tends to feel more approachable than coastal tech hubs or large metro areas, especially for housing and everyday expenses. You can find a range of layouts – from compact apartments to family-friendly homes – without blowing your budget. Grocery, transit, and essential services cluster in walkable neighborhoods, making errands efficient. Seasonal events, a slower pace, and a tight services market can stretch discretionary funds. You’ll still enjoy solid amenities, reasonable healthcare options, and reliable internet for remote work. Tip: Start with a short-term rental downtown or near a transit corridor to test fit before long commitments.

Daily life centers on practical choices. For housing, you'll see a mix of downtown apartments and quieter family-friendly streets; look for leases that include utilities or flexible terms. Food options range from groceries with local produce to familiar national chains, plus casual dining that yields good value. Transport often runs on a car-centric model, with some bus routes and bike-friendly corridors; errands and commute time can be efficient if you pick a neighborhood close to work or study hubs. For work, cafes and coworking spaces with reliable wifi offer flexible spots, and you can balance remote tasks with short local excursions. Fort Smith, AR, United States living cost remains manageable for steady routines. Tip: Map a few live-work routes and test a week in each neighborhood.

Quality of life comes from balance and adaptation. Use a simple budgeting approach like 50/30/20 to allocate housing, essentials, and savings, keeping flexibility for seasonal costs like energy or wardrobe needs. Neighborhood fit matters: look for areas with walkable amenities, proximity to parks and river views, and reasonable commute times. Save by cooking at home, buying staples in bulk, taking advantage of community events, and choosing mid-range transit or biking when possible. Seasonality affects energy use and outdoor activity; plan outdoor time in shoulder seasons when crowds are lighter. Tip: Before committing long-term, try a month-to-month arrangement in two neighborhoods to feel the rhythm of everyday life.