CostIndexUSA

Corpus Christi, TX vs Fort Smith, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Corpus Christi
92.7
overall index
$1,425/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Fort Smith
85.9
overall index
$1,025/mo rent

Fort Smith is moderately cheaper than Corpus Christi — 7.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Corpus Christi, you would need $74,100 in Fort Smith. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing37.1%
Corpus Christi
84.9
Fort Smith
53.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Corpus Christi
93.8
Fort Smith
93.6
🚗 Transportation1.0%
Corpus Christi
101.1
Fort Smith
100.1
🏥 Healthcare0.9%
Corpus Christi
91.4
Fort Smith
90.6
Utilities8.9%
Corpus Christi
81
Fort Smith
73.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Smith, AR
$74,100
$5,900 less needed in Fort Smith

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 0.9266. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Corpus Christi, TX

Median Home Price
$217,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
84.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.7×

Fort Smith, AR

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

Corpus Christi has 37.1% lower housing costs compared to Fort Smith.

Income & Job Market

Corpus Christi, TX

Median Household Income
$62,500
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
326,554
Top Industries
EnergyMilitaryHealthcareRetailManufacturing

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).

Corpus Christi, TX
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.