College Station vs Fort Wayne
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Fort Wayne
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.1%, with Fort Wayne being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in College Station has equivalent purchasing power to $70,690 in Fort Wayne.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in College Station has the same purchasing power as $70,690 in Fort Wayne.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Wayne equals $79,573 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Fort Wayne
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is higher Fort Wayne's 57, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $195,000. The $119,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,740 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $950/mo in Fort Wayne, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 99 in Fort Wayne. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $470/month in Fort Wayne. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in College Station and 93 in Fort Wayne. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $372 in Fort Wayne. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station 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 $50,900 in College Station and $54,600 in Fort Wayne. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 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 $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,274/month in Fort Wayne. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/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 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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