Fort Wayne wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: South Bend vs Fort Wayne (2026)
A $60,000 salary in South Bend buys roughly what $59,268 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
−$680/yr
Favoring Fort Wayne for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $57/mo in Fort Wayne, 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 | South Bend Indiana | Fort Wayne Indiana | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850 | $800Better | Fort wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Fort |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050 | $1,000Better | Fort wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Fort |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400 | $1,300Better | Fort wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Fort |
| Median home price | $195KBetter | $200K | South wins +$5K | — |
| 🛒 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 | $42Better | $42 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.05 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140 | $138Better | Fort wins −$2/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155Better | $155 | — | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $58 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $47K | $50KBetter | Fort wins +$3K 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) | 82 | 81Better | Fort wins -1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 32Wins | 28 | South wins -4 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.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
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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 South Bend cheaper than Fort Wayne?
No. 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 South Bend vs Fort Wayne?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in South Bend is $1,050/month and in Fort Wayne is $1,000/month. South Bend is more expensive by 5%.
How much do I need to earn in Fort Wayne to match a $75,000 salary in South Bend?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $74,085/year in Fort Wayne to match a $75,000 salary in South Bend. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — South Bend or Fort Wayne?
Fort Wayne 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 South Bend 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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