CostIndexUSA

Erie, PA vs Fort Smith, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Erie
91
overall index
$1,075/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Fort Smith
85.9
overall index
$1,025/mo rent

Fort Smith is moderately cheaper than Erie — 5.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Erie, you would need $75,500 in Fort Smith. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing6.0%
Erie
56.8
Fort Smith
53.4
🛒 Groceries7.1%
Erie
100.7
Fort Smith
93.6
🚗 Transportation2.4%
Erie
102.6
Fort Smith
100.1
🏥 Healthcare2.4%
Erie
92.8
Fort Smith
90.6
Utilities30.9%
Erie
106.8
Fort Smith
73.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Smith, AR
$75,500
$4,500 less needed in Fort Smith

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 91) = salary × 0.9440. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Erie, PA

Median Home Price
$209,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
56.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Fort Smith, AR

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

Erie has 6.0% lower housing costs compared to Fort Smith.

Income & Job Market

Erie, PA

Median Household Income
$60,700
Per Capita Income
$34,600
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
94,831
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyRetail

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).

Erie, PA
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.