Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Fort Wayne, IN (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Fort Wayne

Indiana
63

St. Louis is 5% more expensive than Fort Wayne.

$978/mo ↑ 2%
Median Rent
$959/mo ↓ 2%
$55,279/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$60,293/yr ↑ 9%
$185,100 ↑ 9%
Home Value
$169,700 ↓ 8%
$1,013/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$950/mo ↓ 6%
293,109
Population
266,235

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
3.05%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Fort Wayne, IN, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 63 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $5,014/year higher in Fort Wayne. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $169,700 in Fort Wayne.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Fort Wayne — common questions

Is St. Louis 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 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Fort Wayne?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Fort Wayne it's $959/month — a difference of $19/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Fort Wayne?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $60,293 in Fort Wayne. Median household income is $5,014/year higher in Fort Wayne.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Indiana?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Fort Wayne?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/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.
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