Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Fort Wayne, IN (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63

Austin is 113% more expensive than Fort Wayne.

$1,655/mo ↑ 73%
Median Rent
$959/mo ↓ 42%
$91,461/yr ↑ 52%
Median Income
$60,293/yr ↓ 34%
$512,700 ↑ 202%
Home Value
$169,700 ↓ 67%
$1,747/mo ↑ 84%
Owner Costs
$950/mo ↓ 46%
967,862
Population
266,235

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.05%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Fort Wayne, IN, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 63 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $696/month cheaper in Fort Wayne, saving renters about $8,352/year.

Median household income is $31,168/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $169,700 in Fort Wayne.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Indiana's 3.05% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Fort Wayne — common questions

Is Austin or Fort Wayne cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Wayne is cheaper to live in with an index of 63 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Fort Wayne?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Fort Wayne it's $959/month — a difference of $696/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Fort Wayne?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $60,293 in Fort Wayne. Median household income is $31,168/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Indiana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Fort Wayne?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Fort Wayne has a cost index of 63 with rent of $959/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Fort Wayne details →

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