Davenport vs Fort Wayne
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Davenport
Fort Wayne
The Verdict
Fort Wayne is 1.2% less expensive than Davenport overall. A household earning $75,000 in Davenport would need approximately $74,096 in Fort Wayne to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Davenport has the same purchasing power as $74,096 in Fort Wayne.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Wayne equals $75,915 in Davenport.
Living in Davenport vs Fort Wayne
Housing Costs
Davenport's housing index of 60 is higher Fort Wayne's 57, translating to median home prices of $212,000 vs $195,000. The $17,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,104 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Davenport compared to $950/mo in Fort Wayne, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Davenport and 99 in Fort Wayne. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Davenport 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 83 in Davenport and 93 in Fort Wayne. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Davenport vs $372 in Fort Wayne. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Davenport 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 $66,200 in Davenport and $54,600 in Fort Wayne. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,759 and $66,585 respectively. Davenport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,545/month to housing in Davenport vs $1,274/month in Fort Wayne. In Davenport, median rent of $900/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 Utilities, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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