Salary Comparison
Security Guards: Fort Smith vs Tacoma
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Fort Smith, AR
$34,241/yr
Tacoma, WA
$48,400/yr
Our recommendation: Tacoma, WA
Tacoma offers $111 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Fort Smith
Tacoma
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$34,241
$48,400
$14,159
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,083
$2,944
$861
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
78
103
-25 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,020
$2,770
$750
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,162
$1,620
$458
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$63
$174
$111
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.03×
1.06×
-0.03×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
3/10 (Tight)
3/10 (Tight)
+0
A vs B
Fort Smith — Full Details
Tacoma — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.