Cost of Living: Fort Wayne, IN vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Fort Wayne is 26% more expensive than Dayton.

$959/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 10%
$60,293/yr ↑ 39%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 28%
$169,700 ↑ 82%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 45%
$950/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 12%
266,235
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

3.05%
Income Tax
3.5%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

19.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Wayne, IN and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 63 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $93/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $1,116/year.

Median household income is $16,839/year higher in Fort Wayne. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Wayne is $169,700 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Wayne vs Dayton — common questions

Is Fort Wayne or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 63 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Wayne and Dayton?
Median rent in Fort Wayne is $959/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $93/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Wayne or Dayton?
Median household income is $60,293 in Fort Wayne and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $16,839/year higher in Fort Wayne.
How do taxes compare between Indiana and Ohio?
Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Wayne or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Wayne has a cost index of 63 with median rent of $959/mo, while Dayton has a cost index of 50 with rent of $866/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Wayne details → View Dayton details →

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