2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Merced, CA vs Fort Smith, AR

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Fort Smith or is it cheaper to live in Merced?
- Fort Smith is 29.8% less expensive than Merced.

Which city has more affordable housing, Fort Smith or Merced?
- Fort Smith housing costs are 59.4% less expensive than Merced housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Merced or is Health Care more affordable in Fort Smith.
- Health related expenses are 22.8% less in Fort Smith.
 Merced, CAFort Smith, ARUnited States
 Overall  Unlock76.6100
 Food & Groceries99.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.7100
 Housing110.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$155,000$338,100
 Utilities110  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock73.4100
 Miscellaneous108.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Merced    44 Reviews

Merced is totally slept on - you want a little bit of everything CA has to offer, at a fraction of the price of other CA cities? Merced is the place to go. The town  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Good place to live. More affordable than most of california. The city is growing and there is alot of business and growth here. Moved from the Bay area years ago and  More

   |    Reply

Great place to live. Lots of progress and changes coming to the city. Great place to raise a family. UC Merced is expanding and businesses are investing. Downtown is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Merced

Reviews for Fort Smith    28 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I lived here for over a year and it SUCKS. The major grocery store is Walmart. And two other grocery stores and they are high price. One Sams Club , one target ,one  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I have been here since 2005. The only good thing about Fort Smith is they have 2 Aldi locations. The cost of living might be cheaper but you also don't have renter's  More

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

Dis place lit no  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Fort Smith


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.