City Comparison

Cheyenne vs Fort Wayne

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cheyenne

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,834
Median Income

Fort Wayne

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

The Verdict

15.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.9%, with Fort Wayne being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to $64,737 in Fort Wayne.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Cheyenne
57
Fort Wayne
Groceries
98
Cheyenne
99
Fort Wayne
Utilities
90
Cheyenne
93
Fort Wayne
Transportation
98
Cheyenne
101
Fort Wayne
Healthcare
100
Cheyenne
96
Fort Wayne

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has the same purchasing power as $64,737 in Fort Wayne.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Wayne equals $86,890 in Cheyenne.

Living in Cheyenne vs Fort Wayne

Housing Costs

Cheyenne's housing index of 85 is higher Fort Wayne's 57, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $195,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cheyenne compared to $950/mo in Fort Wayne, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Cheyenne and 99 in Fort Wayne. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Cheyenne 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 90 in Cheyenne and 93 in Fort Wayne. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Cheyenne vs $372 in Fort Wayne. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Cheyenne and 96 in Fort Wayne. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,834 in Cheyenne and $54,600 in Fort Wayne. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,878 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 $1,349/month to housing in Cheyenne vs $1,274/month in Fort Wayne. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/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 Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Wayne is 15.9% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,737 in Fort Wayne, based on the cost of living difference.
Cheyenne's housing index is 85 with median homes at $280,000, while Fort Wayne's is 57 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases