Cost of Living: Fort Wayne, IN vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Fort Wayne is 64% cheaper than Alexandria.

$959/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 112%
$60,293/yr ↓ 47%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 88%
$169,700 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 311%
$950/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 129%
266,235
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

3.05%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

19.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Wayne, IN and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 63 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,072/month cheaper in Fort Wayne, saving renters about $12,864/year.

Median household income is $53,345/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Wayne is $169,700 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Wayne vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Fort Wayne or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Wayne is cheaper to live in with an index of 63 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Wayne and Alexandria?
Median rent in Fort Wayne is $959/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $1,072/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Wayne or Alexandria?
Median household income is $60,293 in Fort Wayne and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $53,345/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Indiana and Virginia?
Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Wayne or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Wayne has a cost index of 63 with median rent of $959/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Wayne details → View Alexandria details →

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