Is it cheaper to live in Fort Smith or Grand Forks?

Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Grand Forks, ND's $920, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Fort Smith or Grand Forks?

Fort Smith is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Grand Forks under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Fort Smith vs Grand Forks Cost of Living 2026

Fort Smith

Arkansas

$780/mo est.

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/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 $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Fort Smith, AR is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Forks, ND, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $52,692 in Fort Smith, AR and $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND — about 17% higher in Grand Forks, ND. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Fort Smith, AR

Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio

$634

$784

+24% in Grand Forks, ND

1 Bedroom

$603

$761

+26% in Grand Forks, ND

2 Bedroom

$863

$947

+10% in Grand Forks, ND

3 Bedroom

$1,087

$1,371

+26% in Grand Forks, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$168,100

$243,300

+45% in Grand Forks, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$52,692

$63,838

+21% in Grand Forks, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$39,560

$49,760

+26% in Grand Forks, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.6 yr

29.4 yr

+7.2 yr in Fort Smith, AR

Homeownership

53.0%

46.5%

+6.5 pp in Fort Smith, AR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.3%

39.2%

+13.9 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Avg Commute

17.3 min

14.8 min

+2.5 min in Fort Smith, AR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

844.7

360.3

+57% in Fort Smith, AR

Property Crime

3,697.6

2,290.6

+38% 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

40.0°F

+21.7°F in Fort Smith, AR

Annual Precipitation

45.5 in

20.8 in

+24.7 in in Fort Smith, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Grand Forks, ND

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

about equal

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$18.21

+35% in Fort Smith, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Grand Forks, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Fort Smith, AR

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Grand Forks, ND

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Grand Forks, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / ND)

6.5%

+1.5 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

2.50%

+1.4 pp in AR

Fort Smith vs Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fort Smith or Grand Forks?: Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Grand Forks, ND's $920, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fort Smith than in Grand Forks?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $24,000 a year in Fort Smith versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Fort Smith or Grand Forks?: Fort Smith is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Grand Forks under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 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).