Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Fort Smith?

Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $24,000 in Fort Smith.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Fort Smith?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Fort Smith under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Fort Smith Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Eugene, OR versus $780 in Fort Smith, AR. Overall, Fort Smith, AR is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $52,692 in Fort Smith, AR — about 17% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Fort Smith, AR

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$634

+37% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$603

+44% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$863

+39% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,087

+35% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$168,100

+61% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$52,692

+17% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$39,560

+20% in Eugene, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

36.6 yr

+1.2 yr in Fort Smith, AR

Homeownership

47.6%

53.0%

+5.4 pp in Fort Smith, AR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

25.3%

+18.9 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

17.3 min

+1.3 min in Eugene, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

844.7

+164% in Fort Smith, AR

Property Crime

3,348.9

3,697.6

+10% 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

52.5°F

61.7°F

+9.2°F in Fort Smith, AR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

45.5 in

+0.6 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.62/gal

+31% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

14.1

+13% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.60

$27.86

+29% in Fort Smith, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Eugene, OR

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Fort Smith, AR

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Eugene, OR

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Eugene, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / AR)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

3.90%

+6.0 pp in OR

Eugene vs Fort Smith — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Fort Smith?: Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Fort Smith?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $24,000 in Fort Smith.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Fort Smith?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).