CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Fort Wayne, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableIN
Fort Wayne
92.6
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Fort Wayne is moderately cheaper than Boston — 14.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $68,400 in Fort Wayne. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing51.3%
Boston
148.4
Fort Wayne
72.3
🛒 Groceries5.4%
Boston
99.7
Fort Wayne
94.3
🚗 Transportation4.3%
Boston
108.8
Fort Wayne
104.1
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Boston
98.4
Fort Wayne
94.2
Utilities42.1%
Boston
148.8
Fort Wayne
86.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Wayne, IN
$68,400
$11,600 less needed in Fort Wayne

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.8550. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Fort Wayne, IN

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

Boston has 51.3% lower housing costs compared to Fort Wayne.

Income & Job Market

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

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).

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.