A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
29%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Fort Wayne Indiana National
Cost of living9090100
Goods & Services9694100
Groceries10198100
Health care9696100
Housing7172100
Transportation9895100
Utilities102107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Fort Wayne, IN

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Fort Wayne is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Fort Wayne is 90, which is 10% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Fort Wayne?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 10 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Fort Wayne. The results indicated that 60% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 40% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Fort Wayne Affordable?

Wondering if Fort Wayne is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Fort Wayne, for example, the median home price is 34.2% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 18.1% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Fort Wayne boasting a median household income of $51,454, which is 7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fort Wayne?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Fort Wayne, the utilities index is 1.5% higher than the national average.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Fort Wayne, the transportation index is 2.4% lower than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Fort Wayne, the groceries index is 0.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Fort Wayne displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Fort Wayne is equal to the Indiana average
  • The cost of living in Fort Wayne is 10% lower than the national average
  • Fort Wayne housing is 29% lower than the national average
  • Indiana general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Indiana state income tax is 43% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Fort Wayne

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Compare Fort Wayne, IN Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$65,258$5,438$1,523$1,958
      Renters$32,917$2,743$768$988
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Fort Wayne, IN, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Fort Wayne, the median monthly income is $65,258 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,523 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $32,917, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $768 on monthly rental expenses.

      Indiana Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Indiana 7% 7%

      Indiana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Indiana 3.23% 3.23%

      Goods & Services

      Item Fort Wayne National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.22$24.268.1%
      Beauty Salon $33.78$45.5625.9%
      Toothpaste $3.63$3.702.0%
      Shampoo $1.32$1.283.3%
      Movie $12.75$12.135.1%
      Bowling $16.72$18.007.1%

      Groceries

      Item Fort Wayne National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.10$5.844.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.64$1.574.1%
      Milk $4.74$4.671.5%
      Potatoes $5.08$4.933.0%
      Pizza $12.79$12.095.8%
      Beer $10.06$10.413.3%

      Health Care

      Item Fort Wayne National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $104.30$125.6817.0%
      Doctor $119.61$135.7811.9%
      Dentist $110.00$113.292.9%
      Ibuprofen $10.59$10.650.6%
      Lipitor $528.19$468.6012.7%

      Housing

      Item Fort Wayne National avg. Difference
      Home Price $121,600.00$184,700.0034.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,635.69$2,346.6930.3%
      Apartment Rent $777.00$949.0018.1%

      Transportation

      Item Fort Wayne National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.35$3.463.2%
      Tire Balancing $59.65$59.920.5%

      Utilities

      Item Fort Wayne National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $197.87$193.992.0%
      Phone $192.69$192.250.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Monroeville, IN1,3158514.5%
      Churubusco, IN1,9018713.2%
      Woodburn, IN1,3908713.1%
      Zanesville, IN6258911.0%
      New Haven, IN15,9348911.0%
      Fort Wayne, IN268,3789010.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Chula Vista, CA268,77915656.1%
      Irvine, CA272,69419898.4%
      St. Petersburg, FL264,0011043.8%
      Jersey City, NJ262,65214343.4%
      Toledo, OH275,1168713.2%
      Fort Wayne, IN268,3789010.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.