Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $31,000 in Fort Wayne.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Fort Wayne?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Boise vs Fort Wayne Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $960 in Fort Wayne, IN. Overall, Fort Wayne, IN is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $60,293 in Fort Wayne, IN — about 26% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Fort Wayne, IN

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$798

+22% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$782

+31% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$984

+27% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,100

+37% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$169,700

+63% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$60,293

+26% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$47,700

+3% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.0 yr

+3.2 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

62.2%

+0.8 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

28.5%

+18.1 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

21.4 min

+2.3 min in Fort Wayne, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

308.9

+3% in Fort Wayne, IN

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,245.4

+98% 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

52.5°F

50.5°F

+2.0°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

38.3 in

+26.6 in in Fort Wayne, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

18.1

+47% in Fort Wayne, IN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$13.70

+27% in Fort Wayne, IN

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Fort Wayne, IN

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Fort Wayne, IN

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / IN)

+1.0 pp in IN

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

2.95%

+2.3 pp in ID

Boise vs Fort Wayne — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Fort Wayne?: Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Fort Wayne?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $31,000 in Fort Wayne.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Fort Wayne?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).