Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Fort Smith?

Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 57% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Fort Smith?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $24,000 in Fort Smith.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Fort Smith?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Fort Smith under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Fort Smith Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,830/mo est.

Fort Smith

Arkansas

$780/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,830 in Annapolis, MD versus $780 in Fort Smith, AR. Overall, Fort Smith, AR is roughly 57% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $52,692 in Fort Smith, AR — about 49% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Fort Smith, AR

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$634

+49% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$603

+62% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$863

+54% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,087

+51% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$168,100

+67% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$52,692

+49% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$39,560

+33% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

36.6 yr

+4.3 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

53.0%

+6.8 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

25.3%

+28.4 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

17.3 min

+11.4 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

844.7

+5% in Fort Smith, AR

Property Crime

2,111.5

3,697.6

+75% in Fort Smith, AR

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

61.7°F

+4.6°F in Fort Smith, AR

Annual Precipitation

—

45.5 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Annapolis, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.1

+35% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$27.86

+23% in Fort Smith, AR

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / AR)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

3.90%

+2.6 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Fort Smith — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Fort Smith?: Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 57% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Fort Smith?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $24,000 in Fort Smith.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Fort Smith?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Fort Smith under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).