City Comparison

Fort Wayne vs Sydney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Wayne

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

Sydney

Australia
105
Average
$825,000
Median Home
$2,050/mo
Median Rent
$60,000
Median Income

The Verdict

21.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 21.9%, with Fort Wayne being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Wayne has equivalent purchasing power to $96,037 in Sydney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
57
Fort Wayne
142
Sydney
Groceries
99
Fort Wayne
95
Sydney
Utilities
93
Fort Wayne
98
Sydney
Transportation
101
Fort Wayne
108
Sydney
Healthcare
96
Fort Wayne
72
Sydney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne has the same purchasing power as $96,037 in Sydney.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $58,571 in Fort Wayne.

Living in Fort Wayne vs Sydney

Housing Costs

Fort Wayne's housing index of 57 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $825,000. The $630,000 difference in home prices means roughly $40,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Fort Wayne compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $1,100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Fort Wayne and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Fort Wayne vs $451/month in Sydney. 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 Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Fort Wayne vs $392 in Sydney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Fort Wayne and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,585 and $57,143 respectively. Fort Wayne residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,274/month to housing in Fort Wayne vs $1,400/month in Sydney. In Fort Wayne, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. 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 21.9% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,037 in Sydney, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Wayne's housing index is 57 with median homes at $195,000, while Sydney's is 142 with median homes at $825,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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