Fort Wayne wins overall by ~7% (COL index)
Cost of living: Bismarck vs Fort Wayne (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Bismarck buys roughly what $55,862 does in Fort Wayne (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$2,122/yr
Favoring Fort Wayne for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $177/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~85 months and still keep ~$21/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Bismarck North Dakota | Fort Wayne Indiana | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900 | $800Better | Fort wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Fort |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,150 | $1,000Wins | Fort wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Fort |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,300Wins | Fort wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Fort |
| Median home price | $260K | $200KWins | Fort wins −$60K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 97 | 93Better | Fort wins -4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12 | $11Better | Fort wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50 | $46Better | Fort wins −$4/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42Better | $42 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.05 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140 | $138Better | Fort wins −$2/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $152Better | $155 | Bismarck wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $58Better | Fort wins −$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $60KWins | $50K | Bismarck wins −$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 2.5%Wins | 3.2% | Bismarck wins +0.7 pp | $420/yr saves in Bismarck |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.8%Better | 7.0% | Bismarck wins +0.2 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $13.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33 | $30Better | Fort wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00 | $4.50Better | Fort wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87 | 81Better | Fort wins -6 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 28Wins | Fort wins +6 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Fort Wayne fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Fort Wayne.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Bismarck cheaper than Fort Wayne?
No. Fort Wayne is 7% cheaper than Bismarck based on overall cost of living indices (81 vs 87, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Bismarck vs Fort Wayne?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Bismarck is $1,150/month and in Fort Wayne is $1,000/month. Bismarck is more expensive by 15%.
How much do I need to earn in Fort Wayne to match a $75,000 salary in Bismarck?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $69,828/year in Fort Wayne to match a $75,000 salary in Bismarck. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Bismarck or Fort Wayne?
Bismarck has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 3.2%. The difference is 0.7 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Bismarck to Fort Wayne?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Wayne offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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