CostIndexUSA

Chandler, AZ vs Fort Smith, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Chandler
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Fort Smith
85.9
overall index
$1,025/mo rent

Fort Smith is significantly cheaper than Chandler — 16.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chandler, you would need $66,500 in Fort Smith. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing55.9%
Chandler
121.2
Fort Smith
53.4
🛒 Groceries1.5%
Chandler
95
Fort Smith
93.6
🚗 Transportation8.3%
Chandler
109.2
Fort Smith
100.1
🏥 Healthcare8.3%
Chandler
98.8
Fort Smith
90.6
Utilities20.9%
Chandler
93.3
Fort Smith
73.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Chandler to see what you'd need to earn in Fort Smith to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Smith, AR
$66,500
$13,500 less needed in Fort Smith

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.8316. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chandler, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Fort Smith, AR

Median Home Price
$195,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,025
Housing Index
53.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.9×

Chandler has 55.9% lower housing costs compared to Fort Smith.

Income & Job Market

Chandler, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
261,165
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsHealthcareManufacturingFinance

Fort Smith, AR

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
88,037
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailGovernmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Chandler, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Fort Smith, AR
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.