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

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Fort Wayne is 69% cheaper than Arlington.

$959/mo ↓ 58%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 137%
$60,293/yr ↓ 57%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 132%
$169,700 ↓ 80%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 410%
$950/mo ↓ 61%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 154%
266,235
Population
235,463

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
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Wayne, IN and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 63 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,316/month cheaper in Fort Wayne, saving renters about $15,792/year.

Median household income is $79,867/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Wayne is $169,700 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Wayne vs Arlington — common questions

Is Fort Wayne or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Wayne is cheaper to live in with an index of 63 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Wayne and Arlington?
Median rent in Fort Wayne is $959/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $1,316/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Wayne or Arlington?
Median household income is $60,293 in Fort Wayne and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $79,867/year higher in Arlington.
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 Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Wayne has a cost index of 63 with median rent of $959/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Wayne details → View Arlington details →

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