Fort Smith, Arkansas
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.49 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.57 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,009, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Fort Smith's cost-of-living index of 75 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.49
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,009
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$10.75
Combo meal
Electricity
12.35¢
per kWh · ~$111/mo
Car Insurance
$173/mo
$2,080/yr
Median Household Income
$60,362
29.9% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $2,080 in Fort Smith. Compare rates:
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Avg rent $1,009/mo in Fort Smith. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$4.65 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$6.46 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$5.76 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$1.69 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$4.78 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$10.04 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$4.92 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$3.75 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$4.40 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.36 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$1.95 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$6.71 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$4.26 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$5.71 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$7.55 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.65 | $4.65 | +27.4% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.42 | $6.46 | +19.2% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.84 | $5.76 | +19.0% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.28 | $1.69 | +32.0% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.72 | $4.78 | +28.5% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $7.24 | $10.04 | +38.7% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.40 | $4.92 | +44.7% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.37 | $3.75 | +11.3% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.91 | $4.40 | +12.5% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.91 | $2.36 | +23.6% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.56 | $1.95 | +25.0% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.64 | $6.71 | +44.6% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.72 | $4.26 | +14.5% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.29 | $5.71 | +33.1% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $5.44 | $7.55 | +38.8% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$10.75
Casual Dining
$14.50
Monthly Spend
$249.6
+3.18% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $4.54
$7.33
+61.5%Wendy's
2022: $5.13
$7.92
+54.4%Chipotle
2022: $5.50
$8.21
+49.3%Starbucks
2022: $2.71
$3.77
+39.1%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Fort Smith?
Average 1BR: $827/mo · 2BR: $1,191/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
19k
Median Weekly Pay
$938
$49k/yr
Top Sector
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
Household vs Worker Pay
$60k
household median
Employment by Sector — Fort Smith
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$50k/yr
~$57k/yr
~$42k/yr
~$19k/yr
~$62k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 05033
Highest Paying Sector
Manufacturing
$1,192/wk · $62k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$369/wk · $19k/yr
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