Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Fort Wayne?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $31,000 in Fort Wayne.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Fort Wayne?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Fort Wayne under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Fort Wayne Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Fort Wayne

Indiana

$960/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $960 in Fort Wayne, IN. Overall, Fort Wayne, IN is roughly 47% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $60,293 in Fort Wayne, IN — about 42% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Fort Wayne, IN

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$798

+36% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$782

+51% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$984

+47% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,100

+51% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$169,700

+67% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$60,293

+42% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$47,700

+19% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

35.0 yr

+5.9 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

62.2%

+2.4 pp in Fort Wayne, IN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

28.5%

+25.2 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

21.4 min

+7.3 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

308.9

+62% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

2,245.4

+6% in Fort Wayne, IN

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

50.5°F

+6.6°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

38.3 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Fort Wayne, IN

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

18.1

+17% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$13.70

+28% in Annapolis, MD

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Fort Wayne, IN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Annapolis, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Fort Wayne, IN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Fort Wayne, IN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Fort Wayne, IN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / IN)

+1.0 pp in IN

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

2.95%

+3.5 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Fort Wayne — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Fort Wayne?: Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Fort Wayne?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $31,000 in Fort Wayne.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Fort Wayne?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Fort Wayne under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).