City Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Fort Smith = $229k in Los Angeles
Metric
Fort Smith
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓0.77
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$780/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$980/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
AR
CA
$100k Take-Home
✓$74,206
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
✓25.79%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$64,846
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Fort Smith AR | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,598 $3,967/mo · 20.67% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $74,206 $6,184/mo · 25.79% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $106,398 $8,867/mo · 29.07% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Smith or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Fort Smith has a cost-of-living index of 0.77 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Fort Smith is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Fort Smith is $780/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Fort Smith?
$100k in Fort Smith = $229k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 128.6%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Fort Smith or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,206 in AR (Fort Smith) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $64,846 in Fort Smith vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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