Fort Wayne vs Detroit: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Fort Wayne, Indiana compare to Detroit, Michigan? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Detroit is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 129% higher in Fort Wayne compared to Detroit, while rent is 9% lower. State income tax is 3.05% in IN vs 4.25% in MI.
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Detroit, MI | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $152,500 | $66,700 | +128.6% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $904 | $989 | -8.6% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $58,233 | $37,761 | +54.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $31,910 | $22,861 | +39.6% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 3.0% | 4.3% | -28.2% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 6.0% | +16.7% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 264,514 | 636,787 | -58.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Fort Wayne
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Detroit
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Fort Wayne costs $152,500 compared to $66,700 in Detroit — a 129% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $904/mo in Fort Wayne vs $989/mo in Detroit.
- Income: Median household income is $58,233 in Fort Wayne and $37,761 in Detroit.
- Taxes: State income tax is 3.05% in Indiana vs 4.25% in Michigan.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).