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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63

El Paso is 6% more expensive than Fort Wayne.

$1,041/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$959/mo ↓ 8%
$58,734/yr ↓ 3%
Median Income
$60,293/yr ↑ 3%
$171,700 ↑ 1%
Home Value
$169,700 ↓ 1%
$1,044/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$950/mo ↓ 9%
678,147
Population
266,235

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Fort Wayne, IN, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 63 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $82/month cheaper in Fort Wayne, saving renters about $984/year.

Median household income is $1,559/year higher in Fort Wayne. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $169,700 in Fort Wayne.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Fort Wayne — common questions

Is El Paso 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 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Fort Wayne?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Fort Wayne it's $959/month — a difference of $82/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Fort Wayne?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $60,293 in Fort Wayne. Median household income is $1,559/year higher in Fort Wayne.
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 El Paso or Fort Wayne?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Fort Wayne details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Fort Wayne

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