Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Fort Wayne, IN (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63

Cleveland is 19% cheaper than Fort Wayne.

$894/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$959/mo ↑ 7%
$39,187/yr ↓ 35%
Median Income
$60,293/yr ↑ 54%
$94,100 ↓ 45%
Home Value
$169,700 ↑ 80%
$866/mo ↓ 9%
Owner Costs
$950/mo ↑ 10%
367,523
Population
266,235

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
3.05%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Fort Wayne, IN, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 63 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $65/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $780/year.

Median household income is $21,106/year higher in Fort Wayne. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $169,700 in Fort Wayne.

Indiana has a lower income tax rate, making Fort Wayne slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Fort Wayne — common questions

Is Cleveland or Fort Wayne cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 63 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Fort Wayne?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Fort Wayne it's $959/month — a difference of $65/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Fort Wayne?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $60,293 in Fort Wayne. Median household income is $21,106/year higher in Fort Wayne.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Indiana?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Fort Wayne?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/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 Cleveland details → View Fort Wayne details →

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