Is it cheaper to live in Fort Smith or Frederick?

Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 53% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $24,000 a year in Fort Smith versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Fort Smith or Frederick?

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

Fort Smith vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Fort Smith

Arkansas

$780/mo est.

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $780 in Fort Smith, AR versus $1,650 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Fort Smith, AR is roughly 53% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $52,692 in Fort Smith, AR and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 45% higher in Frederick, MD. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Fort Smith, AR

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$634

$1,658

+162% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$603

$1,418

+135% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$863

$1,661

+92% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,087

$1,863

+71% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$168,100

$365,200

+117% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$52,692

$95,150

+81% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$39,560

$71,060

+80% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.6 yr

37.1 yr

+0.5 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

53.0%

59.2%

+6.2 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.3%

41.8%

+16.5 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

17.3 min

30.1 min

+12.8 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

844.7

406

+52% in Fort Smith, AR

Property Crime

3,697.6

1,696.3

+54% 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

61.7°F

52.1°F

+9.6°F in Fort Smith, AR

Annual Precipitation

45.5 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Frederick, MD

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

21.8

+55% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$22.57

+19% 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 (AR / MD)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

6.50%

+2.6 pp in MD

Fort Smith vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fort Smith or Frederick?: Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 53% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fort Smith than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $24,000 a year in Fort Smith versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Fort Smith or Frederick?: Fort Smith is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).