CostIndexUSA

Fort Wayne, IN vs Tacoma, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIN
Fort Wayne
92.6
overall index
$1,150/mo rent
WA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Fort Wayne is significantly cheaper than Tacoma — 20.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Wayne, you would need $96,000 in Tacoma. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+109.3%
Fort Wayne
72.3
Tacoma
151.3
🛒 Groceries+10.3%
Fort Wayne
94.3
Tacoma
104
🚗 Transportation+7.8%
Fort Wayne
104.1
Tacoma
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+7.7%
Fort Wayne
94.2
Tacoma
101.5
Utilities+7.7%
Fort Wayne
86.2
Tacoma
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$96,000
$16,000 more needed in Tacoma

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 92.6) = salary × 1.1998. 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×

Tacoma, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Tacoma has 109.3% higher housing costs compared to Fort Wayne.

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

Tacoma, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
219,346
Top Industries
MilitaryManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsRetail

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)

Tacoma, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.