CostIndexUSA

Fort Smith, AR vs Tampa, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Fort Smith
85.9
overall index
$1,025/mo rent
FL
Tampa
100.9
overall index
$1,975/mo rent

Fort Smith is significantly cheaper than Tampa — 17.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $94,000 in Tampa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+135.6%
Fort Smith
53.4
Tampa
125.8
🛒 Groceries+2.0%
Fort Smith
93.6
Tampa
95.5
🚗 Transportation+2.3%
Fort Smith
100.1
Tampa
102.4
🏥 Healthcare+2.3%
Fort Smith
90.6
Tampa
92.7
Utilities+19.9%
Fort Smith
73.8
Tampa
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tampa, FL
$94,000
$14,000 more needed in Tampa

Formula: salary × (100.9 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.1746. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fort Smith, AR

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

Tampa, FL

Median Home Price
$352,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,975
Housing Index
125.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Tampa has 135.6% higher housing costs compared to Fort Smith.

Income & Job Market

Fort Smith, AR

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

Tampa, FL

Median Household Income
$72,700
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
399,700
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareTourismTechnologyLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

79% of income left after rent (median)

Tampa, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.