Cost of Living: Fort Wayne, IN vs Kansas City, KS (2026)

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63
VS

Kansas City

Kansas City
65

Fort Wayne and Kansas City have a similar cost of living.

$959/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$1,073/mo ↑ 12%
$60,293/yr ↑ 2%
Median Income
$59,183/yr ↓ 2%
$169,700 ↑ 15%
Home Value
$147,100 ↓ 13%
$950/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,054/mo ↑ 11%
266,235
Population
154,776

Tax Comparison

3.05%
Income Tax
5.7%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

19.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Wayne, IN and Kansas City, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 63 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $114/month cheaper in Fort Wayne, saving renters about $1,368/year.

Median household income is $1,110/year higher in Fort Wayne. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Wayne is $169,700 compared to $147,100 in Kansas City.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Wayne vs Kansas City — common questions

Is Fort Wayne or Kansas City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Wayne is cheaper to live in with an index of 63 compared to 65 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Wayne and Kansas City?
Median rent in Fort Wayne is $959/month and in Kansas City it's $1,073/month — a difference of $114/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Wayne or Kansas City?
Median household income is $60,293 in Fort Wayne and $59,183 in Kansas City. Median household income is $1,110/year higher in Fort Wayne.
How do taxes compare between Indiana and Kansas?
Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Wayne or Kansas City?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Wayne has a cost index of 63 with median rent of $959/mo, while Kansas City has a cost index of 65 with rent of $1,073/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Wayne details → View Kansas City details →

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