Fort Wayne wins overall by ~24% (COL index)
Cost of living: Fort Wayne vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Fort Wayne buys roughly what $79,259 does in Chicago (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
+$14,368/yr
Favoring Fort Wayne for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,197/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~13 months and still keep ~$144/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 | Fort Wayne Indiana | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $800Wins | $1,500 | Fort wins +$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Fort |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,000Wins | $1,900 | Fort wins +$900/mo | $10,800/yr saves in Fort |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,300Wins | $2,600 | Fort wins +$1,300/mo | $15,600/yr saves in Fort |
| Median home price | $200KWins | $360K | Fort wins +$160K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 102 | Fort wins +9 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Wins | $15 | Fort wins +$4/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Wins | $60 | Fort wins +$14/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42Wins | $105 | Fort wins +$63/mo | $756/yr saves in Fort |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.40 | Fort wins +$0.35 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $138Wins | $165 | Fort wins +$27/mo | $324/yr saves in Fort |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155Better | $165 | Fort wins +$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $65 | Fort wins +$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $50K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$17K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 3.2%Wins | 4.9% | Fort wins +1.7 pp | $1,020/yr saves in Fort |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Wins | 10.3% | Fort wins +3.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $16.00 | Fort wins +$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Wins | $45 | Fort wins +$15/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $4.50Wins | $7.00 | Fort wins +$2.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 81Wins | 107 | Fort wins +26 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +50 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,020/yr tax difference into cash back
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
Park ~$10,800/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
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.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Wayne cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Fort Wayne is 24% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (81 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Fort Wayne vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fort Wayne is $1,000/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Fort Wayne is cheaper by 47%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $99,074/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Fort Wayne or Chicago?
Fort Wayne has the lower state income tax rate at 3.2% vs 4.9%. The difference is 1.7 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Fort Wayne to Chicago?
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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