El Paso wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: El Paso vs Fort Wayne (2026)
A $60,000 salary in El Paso buys roughly what $60,750 does in Fort Wayne (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,354/yr
Favoring El Paso for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $113/mo in El Paso, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | El Paso Texas | Fort Wayne Indiana | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850 | $800Better | Fort wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Fort |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050 | $1,000Better | Fort wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Fort |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400 | $1,300Better | Fort wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Fort |
| Median home price | $215K | $200KBetter | Fort wins −$15K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 91Better | 93 | El Paso wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $11 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Better | $46 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $40Better | $42 | El Paso wins +$2/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.05 | El Paso wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $162 | $138Wins | Fort wins −$24/mo | $288/yr saves in Fort |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $155Better | Fort wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Fort |
| Internet/mo | $60 | $58Better | Fort wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $48K | $50KBetter | Fort wins +$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 3.2% | El Paso wins +3.2 pp | $1,920/yr saves in El Paso |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3% | 7.0%Wins | Fort wins -1.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $13.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $32 | $30Better | Fort wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00 | $4.50Better | Fort wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 80Better | 81 | El Paso wins +1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28Better | 28 | — | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,920/yr tax difference into cash back
El Paso fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in El Paso.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is El Paso cheaper than Fort Wayne?
Yes. El Paso is 1% cheaper than Fort Wayne based on overall cost of living indices (80 vs 81, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in El Paso vs Fort Wayne?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in El Paso is $1,050/month and in Fort Wayne is $1,000/month. El Paso is more expensive by 5%.
How much do I need to earn in Fort Wayne to match a $75,000 salary in El Paso?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,938/year in Fort Wayne to match a $75,000 salary in El Paso. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — El Paso or Fort Wayne?
El Paso has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 3.2%. El Paso has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from El Paso to Fort Wayne?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: El Paso ↔ Fort Wayne
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