Moving from Dayton to Fort Wayne (2026)
Fort Wayne has a COL index of 81 vs 83 for Dayton (100 = US average). You'd pay about 2% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$133/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
8381
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,100$1,000
per month
State tax
3.5%3.2%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,522$4,541
per month
Salary needed in Fort Wayne to match your Dayton lifestyle
Based on the 2% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Dayton | Equivalent in Fort Wayne |
|---|---|
| $40K | $39,036 |
| $50K | $48,795 |
| $60K | $58,554 |
| $75K | $73,193 |
| $80K | $78,072 |
| $100K | $97,590 |
| $120K | $117,108 |
| $150K | $146,386 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Dayton vs Fort Wayne
| Expense | Dayton | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,522 | $4,541 |
| 1BR rent | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| Groceries | $361 | $353 |
| Transport | $60 | $42 |
| Utilities | $162 | $155 |
| Internet | $58 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $2,781 | $2,933 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Wayne cheaper than Dayton?
Yes. Fort Wayne has a cost of living index of 81 vs 83 for Dayton (100 = US average). That's about 2% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Dayton to Fort Wayne?
On a $75K salary, moving from Dayton to Fort Wayne could save roughly $133/month on core expenses. That's ~$1,596/year.
What salary do I need in Fort Wayne to match my Dayton lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Dayton, you'd need roughly $73,193/year in Fort Wayne. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Fort Wayne to DaytonDayton vs Fort Wayne — full comparisonDayton cost of livingFort Wayne cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only