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

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Fort Wayne is 11% cheaper than Abilene.

$959/mo ↓ 13%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↑ 15%
$60,293/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↑ 4%
$169,700 ↓ 5%
Home Value
$178,900 ↑ 5%
$950/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↑ 17%
266,235
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

19.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Wayne, IN and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 63 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $147/month cheaper in Fort Wayne, saving renters about $1,764/year.

Median household income is $2,427/year higher in Abilene. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Wayne is $169,700 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Wayne vs Abilene — common questions

Is Fort Wayne or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Wayne is cheaper to live in with an index of 63 compared to 71 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Wayne and Abilene?
Median rent in Fort Wayne is $959/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $147/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Wayne or Abilene?
Median household income is $60,293 in Fort Wayne and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $2,427/year higher in Abilene.
How do taxes compare between Indiana and Texas?
Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Wayne or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Wayne has a cost index of 63 with median rent of $959/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Wayne details → View Abilene details →

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