salaryFort Wayne is the 2nd-largest city in Indiana that we track, with 268,589 residents. Rent is lower than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,680 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Indiana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Indiana. It is number 69 of 132 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Fort Wayne with other big cities
Compare Fort Wayne to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Fort Wayne?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Fort Wayne
| Size | Fort Wayne | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $949 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $919 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,149 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,257 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,411 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Fort Wayne overall?
Everyday prices in the Fort Wayne metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Fort Wayne
Life in Fort Wayne
What jobs pay in Fort Wayne
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $152,530 | 9.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $131,400 | 11.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,050 | 11.7% |
| Lawyer | $126,520 | 11.8% |
| Operations Manager | $107,780 | 13.8% |
| Software Developer | $101,560 | 14.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $90,300 | 16.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $88,920 | 16.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,120 | 17.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $79,630 | 18.7% |
| Police Officer | $79,210 | 18.8% |
| Plumber | $77,110 | 19.3% |
| Firefighter | $75,860 | 19.6% |
| Accountant | $75,250 | 19.8% |
| Electrician | $71,290 | 20.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,640 | 23.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,730 | 24.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,830 | 24.5% |
| Carpenter | $60,400 | 24.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,800 | 24.9% |
| Truck Driver | $59,050 | 25.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,220 | 33.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,200 | 33.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,860 | 39.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,210 | 40.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,490 | 43.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,200 | 47.8% |
| Cashier | $29,590 | 50.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,650 | 52.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fort Wayne?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $69 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $188,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $18,890 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fort Wayne, IN?
Renting in Fort Wayne costs a median of about $1,242 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Indiana median is $1,219.
How much do I need to make to live in Fort Wayne?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,680 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Fort Wayne cheap or expensive?
Fort Wayne is rated OK: rent takes 22.5% of the typical household income of $66,244. It ranks 69th cheapest of 132 Indiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Fort Wayne?
The median homeowner in Fort Wayne pays $1,578 a year in property taxes, about 0.84% of the median home value.
Is Fort Wayne more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Fort Wayne?
The median home value in Fort Wayne is $188,900, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
268,589 people live in Fort Wayne. Numbers are typical (middle) values.