Jonesboro, AR vs Fort Smith, AR: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Fort Smith, AR and Jonesboro, AR are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Jonesboro works out to about $75,000 in Fort Smith, before taxes.
- Housing is 0.8% lower in Fort Smith, goods 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,074 a month in Fort Smith and $1,237 in Jonesboro, $1,956 a year less in Fort Smith (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $203,000 in Fort Smith and $204,000 in Jonesboro.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Fort Smith was 3.1% more expensive than Jonesboro.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Jonesboro and Fort Smith
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Jonesboro, AR
- Fort Smith, AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jonesboro, AR | Fort Smith, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 85.9 | 85.9 |
| Goods | 93.6 | 93.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 53.8 | 53.4 |
| Utilities | 75.0 | 73.8 |
| Other services | 95.3 | 95.3 |
| Category | Jonesboro | Fort Smith | Fort Smith vs Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 85.9 | 85.9 | 0.0% |
| Goods | 93.6 | 93.6 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 53.8 | 53.4 | −0.8% |
| Utilities | 75.0 | 73.8 | −1.6% |
| Other services | 95.3 | 95.3 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,237 | $1,074 | −13.2% |
| Typical home value | $204,000 | $203,000 | −0.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Jonesboro | $75,000 | $75,000 | 0.0% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Jonesboro and Fort Smith has narrowed since 2008: 6.5 points then, 0.0 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Jonesboro, AR
- Fort Smith, AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jonesboro, AR | Fort Smith, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 84.2 | 90.7 |
| 2009 | 81.9 | 88.3 |
| 2010 | 84.0 | 90.1 |
| 2011 | 85.4 | 89.9 |
| 2012 | 85.8 | 89.8 |
| 2013 | 85.1 | 90.2 |
| 2014 | 85.6 | 91.3 |
| 2015 | 85.5 | 88.9 |
| 2016 | 84.8 | 89.3 |
| 2017 | 85.4 | 89.2 |
| 2018 | 84.6 | 86.1 |
| 2019 | 85.4 | 88.1 |
| 2020 | 85.5 | 87.1 |
| 2021 | 86.7 | 87.7 |
| 2022 | 86.5 | 85.8 |
| 2023 | 86.0 | 85.3 |
| 2024 | 85.9 | 85.9 |
Goods
- Jonesboro, AR
- Fort Smith, AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jonesboro, AR | Fort Smith, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.6 | 97.1 |
| 2009 | 92.2 | 95.2 |
| 2010 | 96.5 | 96.8 |
| 2011 | 94.9 | 97.0 |
| 2012 | 91.1 | 97.3 |
| 2013 | 92.9 | 97.4 |
| 2014 | 91.2 | 97.7 |
| 2015 | 90.7 | 96.6 |
| 2016 | 92.2 | 97.1 |
| 2017 | 91.5 | 97.0 |
| 2018 | 93.1 | 93.1 |
| 2019 | 94.8 | 94.8 |
| 2020 | 94.3 | 94.4 |
| 2021 | 95.6 | 95.7 |
| 2022 | 93.1 | 93.2 |
| 2023 | 93.1 | 93.1 |
| 2024 | 93.6 | 93.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Jonesboro, AR
- Fort Smith, AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jonesboro, AR | Fort Smith, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 50.0 | 63.8 |
| 2009 | 47.2 | 59.0 |
| 2010 | 47.1 | 60.7 |
| 2011 | 53.0 | 58.5 |
| 2012 | 56.2 | 57.2 |
| 2013 | 50.0 | 57.7 |
| 2014 | 53.1 | 61.6 |
| 2015 | 53.7 | 54.5 |
| 2016 | 50.6 | 53.8 |
| 2017 | 52.8 | 55.4 |
| 2018 | 48.7 | 51.7 |
| 2019 | 50.8 | 58.5 |
| 2020 | 48.0 | 54.5 |
| 2021 | 53.3 | 54.0 |
| 2022 | 54.7 | 50.9 |
| 2023 | 55.5 | 50.8 |
| 2024 | 53.8 | 53.4 |
Utilities
- Jonesboro, AR
- Fort Smith, AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jonesboro, AR | Fort Smith, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 79.2 | 83.8 |
| 2009 | 77.1 | 81.7 |
| 2010 | 76.6 | 82.9 |
| 2011 | 76.8 | 82.0 |
| 2012 | 81.7 | 82.1 |
| 2013 | 80.7 | 82.2 |
| 2014 | 80.8 | 82.3 |
| 2015 | 85.0 | 84.0 |
| 2016 | 85.3 | 82.7 |
| 2017 | 86.3 | 80.7 |
| 2018 | 79.2 | 79.1 |
| 2019 | 78.3 | 78.8 |
| 2020 | 82.2 | 80.9 |
| 2021 | 82.8 | 82.0 |
| 2022 | 83.0 | 82.1 |
| 2023 | 80.8 | 81.6 |
| 2024 | 75.0 | 73.8 |
Other services
- Jonesboro, AR
- Fort Smith, AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jonesboro, AR | Fort Smith, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.4 | 98.6 |
| 2009 | 93.1 | 98.2 |
| 2010 | 94.3 | 100.0 |
| 2011 | 95.6 | 101.6 |
| 2012 | 97.8 | 101.8 |
| 2013 | 98.4 | 100.8 |
| 2014 | 98.9 | 100.6 |
| 2015 | 97.6 | 101.1 |
| 2016 | 96.3 | 102.1 |
| 2017 | 94.6 | 100.9 |
| 2018 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| 2019 | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 99.5 | 99.5 |
| 2021 | 97.2 | 97.3 |
| 2022 | 95.9 | 96.0 |
| 2023 | 95.7 | 95.7 |
| 2024 | 95.3 | 95.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,074 in Fort Smith vs $1,237 in Jonesboro
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Jonesboro, AR
- Fort Smith, AR
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Jonesboro, AR | Fort Smith, AR | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $641 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $652 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $645 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $808 | $661 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $827 | $663 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $835 | $657 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $830 | $666 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $833 | $669 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $843 | $674 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $849 | $672 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $837 | $676 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $845 | $672 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $852 | $690 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $858 | $686 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $862 | $688 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $868 | $693 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $877 | $700 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $886 | $707 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $890 | $708 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $898 | $716 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $915 | $723 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $911 | $740 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $925 | $752 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $930 | $771 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $973 | $792 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,006 | $831 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,003 | $843 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $995 | $875 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,020 | $892 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,047 | $902 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,044 | $929 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,070 | $938 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,091 | $954 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,097 | $954 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,101 | $956 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,109 | $976 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,139 | $1,010 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,153 | $1,007 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,151 | $1,006 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,163 | $1,013 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,192 | $1,024 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,203 | $1,038 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,187 | $1,041 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,187 | $1,045 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,232 | $1,071 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,237 | $1,074 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $203,000 in Fort Smith vs $204,000 in Jonesboro
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Jonesboro, AR
- Fort Smith, AR
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Jonesboro, AR | Fort Smith, AR | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $121K | $112K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $122K | $114K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $123K | $115K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $124K | $116K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $125K | $117K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $126K | $118K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $127K | $119K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $128K | $120K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $128K | $121K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $129K | $121K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $131K | $121K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $133K | $122K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $134K | $124K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $135K | $125K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $136K | $126K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $137K | $127K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $139K | $129K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $142K | $132K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $143K | $134K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $144K | $136K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $145K | $137K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $148K | $139K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $152K | $144K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $156K | $147K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $158K | $151K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $163K | $156K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $170K | $162K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $177K | $169K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $181K | $175K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $185K | $180K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $187K | $181K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $189K | $181K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $189K | $181K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $194K | $185K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $194K | $185K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $194K | $186K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $196K | $186K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $196K | $190K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $195K | $191K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $195K | $191K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $195K | $194K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $194K | $194K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $195K | $194K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $198K | $197K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $203K | $202K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $203K | $203K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $204K | $203K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.