Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Fort Smith?

Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Buffalo, NY's $1,160, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $24,000 in Fort Smith.

Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Fort Smith?

Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Fort Smith under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Buffalo vs Fort Smith Cost of Living 2026

Buffalo

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Buffalo, NY versus $780 in Fort Smith, AR. Overall, Fort Smith, AR is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Buffalo, NY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,050 in Buffalo, NY and $52,692 in Fort Smith, AR — about 9% higher in Fort Smith, AR. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Buffalo, NY

Fort Smith, AR

Rent

Studio

$812

$634

+22% in Buffalo, NY

1 Bedroom

$849

$603

+29% in Buffalo, NY

2 Bedroom

$954

$863

+10% in Buffalo, NY

3 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,087

+1% in Fort Smith, AR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$152,300

$168,100

+10% in Fort Smith, AR

Income

Median Household Income

$48,050

$52,692

+10% in Fort Smith, AR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,790

$39,560

+22% in Buffalo, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

36.6 yr

+2.3 yr in Fort Smith, AR

Homeownership

42.7%

53.0%

+10.3 pp in Fort Smith, AR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.3%

25.3%

+5.0 pp in Buffalo, NY

Avg Commute

19.9 min

17.3 min

+2.6 min in Buffalo, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

770.5

844.7

+10% in Fort Smith, AR

Property Crime

4,003.2

3,697.6

+8% in Buffalo, NY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

48.3°F

61.7°F

+13.4°F in Fort Smith, AR

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

45.5 in

+5.0 in in Fort Smith, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.13/gal

$3.62/gal

+12% in Buffalo, NY

Area: New York vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.5

14.1

+52% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.01

$27.86

+3% in Fort Smith, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Buffalo, NY

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Buffalo, NY

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Fort Smith, AR

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Buffalo, NY

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Buffalo, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Buffalo, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NY / AR)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

10.90%

3.90%

+7.0 pp in NY

Buffalo vs Fort Smith — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Fort Smith?: Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Buffalo, NY's $1,160, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Buffalo than in Fort Smith?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $24,000 in Fort Smith.
Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Fort Smith?: Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).