City Comparison

Augusta vs Fort Wayne

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

Maine
89
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$56,200
Median Income

Fort Wayne

Indiana
82
Very Affordable
$195,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$54,600
Median Income

The Verdict

8.5%

Living in Fort Wayne costs 8.5% less than Augusta. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $69,101 in Fort Wayne.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
72
Augusta
57
Fort Wayne
Groceries
99
Augusta
99
Fort Wayne
Utilities
108
Augusta
93
Fort Wayne
Transportation
102
Augusta
101
Fort Wayne
Healthcare
114
Augusta
96
Fort Wayne

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $69,101 in Fort Wayne.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Wayne equals $81,402 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Fort Wayne

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is higher Fort Wayne's 57, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $195,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $950/mo in Fort Wayne, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 99 in Fort Wayne. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $470/month in Fort Wayne. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Augusta and 93 in Fort Wayne. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $372 in Fort Wayne. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 96 in Fort Wayne. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,200 in Augusta and $54,600 in Fort Wayne. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $66,585 respectively. Fort Wayne residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,274/month in Fort Wayne. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Wayne, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Wayne is 8.5% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,101 in Fort Wayne, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Fort Wayne's is 57 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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