Cost of Living: Jacksonville, FL vs Fort Wayne, IN (2026)

Jacksonville

Florida
92
VS

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63

Jacksonville is 46% more expensive than Fort Wayne.

$1,375/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$959/mo ↓ 30%
$66,981/yr ↑ 11%
Median Income
$60,293/yr ↓ 10%
$266,100 ↑ 57%
Home Value
$169,700 ↓ 36%
$1,324/mo ↑ 39%
Owner Costs
$950/mo ↓ 28%
961,739
Population
266,235

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.05%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Jacksonville, FL and Fort Wayne, IN, the overall cost of living indices are 92 and 63 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $416/month cheaper in Fort Wayne, saving renters about $4,992/year.

Median household income is $6,688/year higher in Jacksonville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Jacksonville is $266,100 compared to $169,700 in Fort Wayne.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Jacksonville vs Fort Wayne — common questions

Is Jacksonville 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 92 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Jacksonville and Fort Wayne?
Median rent in Jacksonville is $1,375/month and in Fort Wayne it's $959/month — a difference of $416/month.
Which city has higher income, Jacksonville or Fort Wayne?
Median household income is $66,981 in Jacksonville and $60,293 in Fort Wayne. Median household income is $6,688/year higher in Jacksonville.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Indiana?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Jacksonville or Fort Wayne?
It depends on your priorities. Jacksonville has a cost index of 92 with median rent of $1,375/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 Jacksonville details → View Fort Wayne details →

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