Is it cheaper to live in Fort Smith or Topeka?

Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Topeka, KS's $940, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Fort Smith or Topeka?

Fort Smith is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Fort Smith vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Fort Smith

Arkansas

$780/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Fort Smith, AR is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Topeka, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $52,692 in Fort Smith, AR and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 6% higher in Topeka, KS. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Fort Smith, AR

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$634

$702

+11% in Topeka, KS

1 Bedroom

$603

$758

+26% in Topeka, KS

2 Bedroom

$863

$977

+13% in Topeka, KS

3 Bedroom

$1,087

$1,177

+8% in Topeka, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$168,100

$130,600

+22% in Fort Smith, AR

Income

Median Household Income

$52,692

$55,902

+6% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$39,560

$49,540

+25% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.6 yr

38.2 yr

+1.6 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

53.0%

59.2%

+6.2 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.3%

29.1%

+3.8 pp in Topeka, KS

Avg Commute

17.3 min

16.7 min

+0.6 min in Fort Smith, AR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

844.7

856.5

+1% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

3,697.6

3,660.2

+1% 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

55.1°F

+6.6°F in Fort Smith, AR

Annual Precipitation

45.5 in

36.5 in

+9.0 in in Fort Smith, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Topeka, KS

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.7

+11% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$25.12

+10% in Fort Smith, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Topeka, KS

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Fort Smith, AR

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Topeka, KS

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / KS)

6.5%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

5.58%

+1.7 pp in KS

Fort Smith vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fort Smith or Topeka?: Fort Smith, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Topeka, KS's $940, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fort Smith than in Topeka?: 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 Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Fort Smith or Topeka?: Fort Smith is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% 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).