City Comparison

Fort Wayne vs Overland Park

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Wayne

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

Overland Park

Kansas
106
Above Average
$414,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$104,800
Median Income

The Verdict

22.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 22.6%, with Fort Wayne being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Wayne has equivalent purchasing power to $96,951 in Overland Park.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
57
Fort Wayne
109
Overland Park
Groceries
99
Fort Wayne
96
Overland Park
Utilities
93
Fort Wayne
98
Overland Park
Transportation
101
Fort Wayne
95
Overland Park
Healthcare
96
Fort Wayne
102
Overland Park

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne has the same purchasing power as $96,951 in Overland Park.

Conversely, $75,000 in Overland Park equals $58,019 in Fort Wayne.

Living in Fort Wayne vs Overland Park

Housing Costs

Fort Wayne's housing index of 57 is lower Overland Park's 109, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $414,000. The $219,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,232 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Fort Wayne compared to $1,450/mo in Overland Park, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Fort Wayne and 96 in Overland Park. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Fort Wayne vs $456/month in Overland Park. 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 98 in Overland Park. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Fort Wayne vs $392 in Overland Park. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Fort Wayne and 102 in Overland Park. 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 $104,800 in Overland Park. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,585 and $98,868 respectively. Overland Park 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 $2,445/month in Overland Park. In Fort Wayne, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Overland Park, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Wayne is 22.6% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,951 in Overland Park, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Wayne's housing index is 57 with median homes at $195,000, while Overland Park's is 109 with median homes at $414,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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