Median rent is 31% lower in Fort Wayne ($959/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Wayne, where the median home runs $169,700 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $60,293 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Fort Wayne, IN
How much would you need to earn in Fort Wayne, IN to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Fort Wayne
Indiana
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Fort Wayne — median rent of $959/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 31% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $169,700 in Fort Wayne — 46% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 3.05% in Indiana, so Fort Wayne is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 7.00% in Indiana; Chicago has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Fort Wayne
Income tax: 3.05%
Sales tax: 7.00%
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 21.0 AQI (Good) compared to 38.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Fort Wayne if you prioritize cheaper rent ($959/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 21.0).
Pick Fort Wayne if you prioritize lower state income tax (3.05%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Fort Wayne?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Fort Wayne?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $959/mo in Fort Wayne, IN. Fort Wayne, IN has the lower rent by about 31%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Fort Wayne?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $60,293 in Fort Wayne, IN. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 21.0 AQI versus 38.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or Fort Wayne?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Indiana's is 3.05%. Fort Wayne, IN has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Fort Wayne to match my Chicago income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology