CostIndexUSA

Fort Wayne, IN vs Joplin, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IN
Fort Wayne
92.6
overall index
$1,150/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than Fort Wayne — 7.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Wayne, you would need $74,000 in Joplin. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing25.3%
Fort Wayne
72.3
Joplin
54
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Fort Wayne
94.3
Joplin
94.2
🚗 Transportation6.1%
Fort Wayne
104.1
Joplin
97.7
🏥 Healthcare6.2%
Fort Wayne
94.2
Joplin
88.4
Utilities≈ Equal
Fort Wayne
86.2
Joplin
85.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Joplin, MO
$74,000
$6,000 less needed in Joplin

Formula: salary × (85.7 ÷ 92.6) = salary × 0.9255. 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×

Joplin, MO

Median Home Price
$216,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
54
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

Fort Wayne has 25.3% lower housing costs compared to Joplin.

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

Joplin, MO

Median Household Income
$57,900
Per Capita Income
$33,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
50,843
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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)

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.