City Comparison

Fort Wayne vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Wayne

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

Hampton

Virginia
88
Below Average
$243,000
Median Home
$1,175/mo
Median Rent
$59,400
Median Income

The Verdict

6.8%

Living in Fort Wayne costs 6.8% less than Hampton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne, you would need $80,488 in Hampton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
57
Fort Wayne
102
Hampton
Groceries
99
Fort Wayne
94
Hampton
Utilities
93
Fort Wayne
102
Hampton
Transportation
101
Fort Wayne
93
Hampton
Healthcare
96
Fort Wayne
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne has the same purchasing power as $80,488 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $69,886 in Fort Wayne.

Living in Fort Wayne vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Fort Wayne's housing index of 57 is lower Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $243,000. The $48,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Fort Wayne compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Fort Wayne and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Fort Wayne vs $447/month in Hampton. 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 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Fort Wayne vs $408 in Hampton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Fort Wayne and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $54,600 in Fort Wayne and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,585 and $67,500 respectively. Hampton 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 $1,386/month in Hampton. In Fort Wayne, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Wayne is 6.8% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,488 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Wayne's housing index is 57 with median homes at $195,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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