City Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Fort Smith = $179k in Chicago
Metric
Fort Smith
Chicago
COL Index
✓0.77
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$780/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$980/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
AR
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$74,206
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓25.79%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$64,846
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Fort Smith AR | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,598 $3,967/mo · 20.67% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $74,206 $6,184/mo · 25.79% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $106,398 $8,867/mo · 29.07% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Smith or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Fort Smith has a cost-of-living index of 0.77 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Fort Smith is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Fort Smith is $780/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Fort Smith?
$100k in Fort Smith = $179k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 79.2%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Fort Smith or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,206 in AR (Fort Smith) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $64,846 in Fort Smith vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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