Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Fort Wayne, IN (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63

Nashville is 75% more expensive than Fort Wayne.

$1,486/mo ↑ 55%
Median Rent
$959/mo ↓ 35%
$75,197/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$60,293/yr ↓ 20%
$383,100 ↑ 126%
Home Value
$169,700 ↓ 56%
$1,471/mo ↑ 55%
Owner Costs
$950/mo ↓ 35%
684,298
Population
266,235

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.05%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Fort Wayne, IN, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 63 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $527/month cheaper in Fort Wayne, saving renters about $6,324/year.

Median household income is $14,904/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $169,700 in Fort Wayne.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Fort Wayne — common questions

Is Nashville 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 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Fort Wayne?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Fort Wayne it's $959/month — a difference of $527/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Fort Wayne?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $60,293 in Fort Wayne. Median household income is $14,904/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Indiana?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Fort Wayne?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/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 Nashville details → View Fort Wayne details →

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