Is it cheaper to live in Fort Smith or Rochester?

Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Rochester, MN's $1,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $24,000 a year in Fort Smith versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Fort Smith or Rochester?

Fort Smith is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Fort Smith vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Fort Smith

Arkansas

$780/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,290/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 $1,290 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Fort Smith, AR is roughly 40% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $52,692 in Fort Smith, AR and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 40% higher in Rochester, MN. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Fort Smith, AR

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$634

$1,080

+70% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$603

$1,106

+83% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$863

$1,243

+44% in Rochester, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,087

$1,646

+51% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$168,100

$287,500

+71% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$52,692

$87,767

+67% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$39,560

$60,620

+53% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.6 yr

36.4 yr

+0.2 yr in Fort Smith, AR

Homeownership

53.0%

65.4%

+12.4 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.3%

50.1%

+24.8 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

17.3 min

17.2 min

+0.1 min in Fort Smith, AR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

844.7

158.9

+81% in Fort Smith, AR

Property Crime

3,697.6

1,379

+63% 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

45.4°F

+16.3°F in Fort Smith, AR

Annual Precipitation

45.5 in

33.0 in

+12.4 in in Fort Smith, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.96/gal

+9% in Rochester, MN

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

17.5

+24% in Rochester, MN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$14.79

+47% in Fort Smith, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, MN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Fort Smith, AR

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Rochester, MN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / MN)

6.5%

6.875%

+0.4 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

9.85%

+5.9 pp in MN

Fort Smith vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fort Smith or Rochester?: Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Rochester, MN's $1,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fort Smith than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $24,000 a year in Fort Smith versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Fort Smith or Rochester?: Fort Smith is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).