Cost of Living: Omaha, NE vs Fort Wayne, IN (2026)

Omaha

Nebraska
80
VS

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63

Omaha is 27% more expensive than Fort Wayne.

$1,150/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$959/mo ↓ 17%
$72,708/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$60,293/yr ↓ 17%
$230,100 ↑ 36%
Home Value
$169,700 ↓ 26%
$1,249/mo ↑ 31%
Owner Costs
$950/mo ↓ 24%
488,197
Population
266,235

Tax Comparison

6.64%
Income Tax
3.05%
5.5%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.73%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

19.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Omaha, NE and Fort Wayne, IN, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 63 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $191/month cheaper in Fort Wayne, saving renters about $2,292/year.

Median household income is $12,415/year higher in Omaha. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Omaha is $230,100 compared to $169,700 in Fort Wayne.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Omaha vs Fort Wayne — common questions

Is Omaha 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 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Omaha and Fort Wayne?
Median rent in Omaha is $1,150/month and in Fort Wayne it's $959/month — a difference of $191/month.
Which city has higher income, Omaha or Fort Wayne?
Median household income is $72,708 in Omaha and $60,293 in Fort Wayne. Median household income is $12,415/year higher in Omaha.
How do taxes compare between Nebraska and Indiana?
Nebraska has 6.64% income tax, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% property tax. Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Omaha or Fort Wayne?
It depends on your priorities. Omaha has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,150/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 Omaha details → View Fort Wayne details →

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