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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63

Houston is 40% more expensive than Fort Wayne.

$1,313/mo ↑ 37%
Median Rent
$959/mo ↓ 27%
$62,894/yr ↑ 4%
Median Income
$60,293/yr ↓ 4%
$253,400 ↑ 49%
Home Value
$169,700 ↓ 33%
$1,316/mo ↑ 39%
Owner Costs
$950/mo ↓ 28%
2,300,419
Population
266,235

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.05%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Fort Wayne, IN, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 63 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $354/month cheaper in Fort Wayne, saving renters about $4,248/year.

Median household income is $2,601/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $169,700 in Fort Wayne.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Fort Wayne — common questions

Is Houston or Fort Wayne cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Wayne is cheaper to live in with an index of 63 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Fort Wayne?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Fort Wayne it's $959/month — a difference of $354/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Fort Wayne?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $60,293 in Fort Wayne. Median household income is $2,601/year higher in Houston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Indiana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Fort Wayne?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Fort Wayne has a cost index of 63 with rent of $959/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Fort Wayne details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Fort Wayne

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio Fort Wayne vs. Toledo Fort Wayne vs. Lubbock Fort Wayne vs. Reno Fort Wayne vs. St. Petersburg Fort Wayne vs. North Las Vegas Fort Wayne vs. Laredo