CostIndexUSA

Fort Wayne, IN vs Jackson, MS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IN
Fort Wayne
92.6
overall index
$1,150/mo rent
More AffordableMS
Jackson
89
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Jackson is slightly cheaper than Fort Wayne — 3.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Wayne, you would need $76,900 in Jackson. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing10.4%
Fort Wayne
72.3
Jackson
64.8
🛒 Groceries+2.0%
Fort Wayne
94.3
Jackson
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.1%
Fort Wayne
104.1
Jackson
100.9
🏥 Healthcare3.1%
Fort Wayne
94.2
Jackson
91.3
Utilities9.4%
Fort Wayne
86.2
Jackson
78.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Jackson, MS
$76,900
$3,100 less needed in Jackson

Formula: salary × (89 ÷ 92.6) = salary × 0.9611. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fort Wayne, IN

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

Jackson, MS

Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
64.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.4×

Fort Wayne has 10.4% lower housing costs compared to Jackson.

Income & Job Market

Fort Wayne, IN

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

Jackson, MS

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
153,701
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

79% of income left after rent (median)

Jackson, MS
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.