Cost of Living: Fort Wayne vs South Bend (2026)
Fort Wayne has a 1% lower overall cost of living than South Bend as of Q1 2026. A one-bedroom apartment runs $1,000/mo in Fort Wayne vs $1,050/mo in South Bend — a 5% difference.
- Fort Wayne is 1% cheaper overall (COL index: 81 vs 82)
- 1BR rent: $1,000/mo in Fort Wayne vs $1,050/mo — 5% savings
- Higher median household income: Fort Wayne ($50,000/yr vs $47,000/yr)
- Median home price: $195,000 in South Bend vs $200,000 — 3% difference
| Category | Fort Wayne Indiana | South Bend Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||
| Studio rent/mo | $800Best | $850 |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,000Best | $1,050 |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,300Best | $1,400 |
| Median home price | $200K | $195KBest |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Best | 93 |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Best | $11 |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Best | $46 |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42Best | $42 |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Best | $3.05 |
| Car insurance/mo | $138Best | $140 |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155Best | $155 |
| Internet/mo | $58Best | $58 |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||
| Median household income/yr | $50KBest | $47K |
| State income tax% | 3.2%Best | 3.2% |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Best | 7.0% |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Best | $13.00 |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Best | $30 |
| Beer at restaurant | $4.50Best | $4.50 |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 81Best | 82 |
| Walk score / 100 | 28 | 32Best |
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Wayne cheaper than South Bend?
Yes. Fort Wayne is 1% cheaper than South Bend based on overall cost of living indices (81 vs 82, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Fort Wayne vs South Bend?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fort Wayne is $1,000/month and in South Bend is $1,050/month. Fort Wayne is cheaper by 5%.
How much do I need to earn in South Bend to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,926/year in South Bend 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 South Bend?
South Bend 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 South Bend?
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
Want to add more cities or compare your own salary?
Use our interactive tool to compare up to 5 cities and see how much of your take-home goes to rent.