Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Fort Wayne, IN (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63

Louisville is 17% more expensive than Fort Wayne.

$1,069/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$959/mo ↓ 10%
$64,731/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$60,293/yr ↓ 7%
$221,500 ↑ 31%
Home Value
$169,700 ↓ 23%
$1,118/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$950/mo ↓ 15%
627,210
Population
266,235

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
3.05%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Fort Wayne, IN, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 63 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $110/month cheaper in Fort Wayne, saving renters about $1,320/year.

Median household income is $4,438/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $169,700 in Fort Wayne.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Fort Wayne — common questions

Is Louisville 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 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Fort Wayne?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Fort Wayne it's $959/month — a difference of $110/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Fort Wayne?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $60,293 in Fort Wayne. Median household income is $4,438/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Indiana?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Fort Wayne?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/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 Louisville details → View Fort Wayne details →

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