CostIndexUSA

Chesapeake, VA vs Fort Wayne, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

VA
Chesapeake
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableIN
Fort Wayne
92.6
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Fort Wayne is moderately cheaper than Chesapeake — 5.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chesapeake, you would need $75,700 in Fort Wayne. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing27.6%
Chesapeake
99.8
Fort Wayne
72.3
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Chesapeake
96.8
Fort Wayne
94.3
🚗 Transportation+0.6%
Chesapeake
103.5
Fort Wayne
104.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Chesapeake
93.7
Fort Wayne
94.2
Utilities3.8%
Chesapeake
89.6
Fort Wayne
86.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Chesapeake to see what you'd need to earn in Fort Wayne to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Wayne, IN
$75,700
$4,300 less needed in Fort Wayne

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 0.9459. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chesapeake, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Fort Wayne, IN

Median Home Price
$245,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
72.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Chesapeake has 27.6% lower housing costs compared to Fort Wayne.

Income & Job Market

Chesapeake, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
249,422
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareRetailManufacturingGovernment

Fort Wayne, IN

Median Household Income
$66,300
Per Capita Income
$37,800
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
270,402
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Chesapeake, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Fort Wayne, IN
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.