Evansville wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Fort Wayne vs Evansville (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Fort Wayne buys roughly what $59,259 does in Evansville (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
−$212/yr
Favoring Evansville for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $18/mo in Evansville, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
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 | Evansville Indiana | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $800Better | $800 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,000 | $990Better | Evansville wins −$10/mo | $120/yr saves in Evansville |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,300Better | $1,300 | — | — |
| Median home price | $200K | $185KBetter | Evansville wins −$15K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 93 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $11 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Better | $46 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42 | $40Better | Evansville wins −$2/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05 | $3.00Better | Evansville wins −$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $138Better | $138 | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155 | $152Better | Evansville wins −$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $58 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $50KBetter | $48K | Fort wins −$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 3.2%Better | 3.2% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Better | 7.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $13.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Better | $30 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $4.50Better | $4.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 81 | 80Better | Evansville wins -1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28Better | 28 | — | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Evansville 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 Evansville.
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.
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.
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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 Evansville?
No. Evansville is 1% cheaper than Fort Wayne based on overall cost of living indices (80 vs 81, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Fort Wayne vs Evansville?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fort Wayne is $1,000/month and in Evansville is $990/month. Fort Wayne is more expensive by 1%.
How much do I need to earn in Evansville to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $74,074/year in Evansville 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 Evansville?
Evansville has the lower state income tax rate at 3.2% vs 3.2%. The difference is 0.0 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 Evansville?
It depends on your priorities. Evansville 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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Salary equivalent: Fort Wayne ↔ Evansville
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