City Comparison

Fort Wayne vs Frisco

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Wayne

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

Frisco

Texas
115
Above Average
$500,000
Median Home
$1,900/mo
Median Rent
$126,048
Median Income

The Verdict

28.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 28.7%, with Fort Wayne being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Wayne has equivalent purchasing power to $105,183 in Frisco.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
57
Fort Wayne
142
Frisco
Groceries
99
Fort Wayne
99
Frisco
Utilities
93
Fort Wayne
99
Frisco
Transportation
101
Fort Wayne
106
Frisco
Healthcare
96
Fort Wayne
100
Frisco

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne has the same purchasing power as $105,183 in Frisco.

Conversely, $75,000 in Frisco equals $53,478 in Fort Wayne.

Living in Fort Wayne vs Frisco

Housing Costs

Fort Wayne's housing index of 57 is lower Frisco's 142, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $500,000. The $305,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Fort Wayne compared to $1,900/mo in Frisco, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Fort Wayne and 99 in Frisco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Fort Wayne vs $470/month in Frisco. 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 93 in Fort Wayne and 99 in Frisco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Fort Wayne vs $396 in Frisco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Fort Wayne and 100 in Frisco. 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 $54,600 in Fort Wayne and $126,048 in Frisco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,585 and $109,607 respectively. Frisco residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,274/month to housing in Fort Wayne vs $2,941/month in Frisco. In Fort Wayne, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Frisco, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 85 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Wayne is 28.7% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $105,183 in Frisco, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Wayne's housing index is 57 with median homes at $195,000, while Frisco's is 142 with median homes at $500,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases