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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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Fort SmithvsChicago

Moving from Fort Smith to Chicago will cost approximately $279,815 more on median home prices (114.0% higher). Monthly rent is $1,166 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 33.0% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
114.0% more
Rent
114.0% more
View Fort SmithView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Fort Smith, AR

Median Home Price$245,459
Monthly Rent$1,023
Median Income$55,026
Population88,195
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+114.0%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+114.0%
Median Income
$73,194+33.0%
Population2,720,556
Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Fort Smith

2015$622
2020$737
2025$1,023

Chicago

2015$1,513
2020$1,592
2025$2,189

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Chicago.

Fort Smith

Housing$6,525
Food$5,515
Transport$13,020
Healthcare$9,644
Total$36,973

Chicago

Housing$7,516
Food$5,442
Transport$13,003
Healthcare$12,465
Total$50,964
Costs

Key Insights

114.0%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$1,166
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
33.0%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Fort Smith

Population88,195
Median Age34.9 yrs
Violent Crime Rate702 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2529 per 100k

Chicago

Population2,720,556
Median Age34.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate345 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1393 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Fort Smith

702
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2529
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Chicago

345
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1393
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Fort Smith?

Fort Smith is 114.0% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Fort Smith is $245,459 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Fort Smith and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Fort Smith averages $1,023. That's a difference of $1,166 per month, or $13,991 annually.

How do incomes compare between Fort Smith and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 33.0% higher than Fort Smith's median of $55,026.

Which city is safer: Fort Smith or Chicago?

Fort Smith has a violent crime rate of 702 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Chicago is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.