Is it cheaper to live in Fort Smith or Spokane?

Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $24,000 a year in Fort Smith versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Fort Smith or Spokane?

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

Fort Smith vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Fort Smith

Arkansas

$780/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Fort Smith, AR is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $52,692 in Fort Smith, AR and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 20% higher in Spokane, WA. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Fort Smith, AR

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$634

$884

+39% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$603

$903

+50% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$863

$1,192

+38% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,087

$1,442

+33% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$168,100

$326,200

+94% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$52,692

$65,745

+25% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$39,560

$54,660

+38% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.6 yr

37.2 yr

+0.6 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

53.0%

58.3%

+5.3 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.3%

32.6%

+7.3 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

17.3 min

21.2 min

+3.9 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

844.7

683.6

+19% in Fort Smith, AR

Property Crime

3,697.6

4,931.8

+33% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+12.8°F in Fort Smith, AR

Annual Precipitation

45.5 in

17.8 in

+27.7 in in Fort Smith, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.26/gal

+45% in Spokane, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.9

+6% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$21.34

+23% in Fort Smith, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Fort Smith, AR

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Spokane, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / WA)

6.5%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

None

+3.9 pp in AR

Fort Smith vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fort Smith or Spokane?: Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fort Smith than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $24,000 a year in Fort Smith versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Fort Smith or Spokane?: Fort Smith is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax 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).