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

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Fort Wayne is 17% more expensive than Brownsville.

$959/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 6%
$60,293/yr ↑ 24%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 19%
$169,700 ↑ 39%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 28%
$950/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 13%
266,235
Population
188,023

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
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Wayne, IN and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 63 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $53/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $636/year.

Median household income is $11,618/year higher in Fort Wayne. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Wayne is $169,700 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Wayne vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Fort Wayne or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 63 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Wayne and Brownsville?
Median rent in Fort Wayne is $959/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $53/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Wayne or Brownsville?
Median household income is $60,293 in Fort Wayne and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $11,618/year higher in Fort Wayne.
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 Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Wayne has a cost index of 63 with median rent of $959/mo, while Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with rent of $906/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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