Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

vs
Fort Wayne

Indiana

$960/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Des Moines, IA versus $960 in Fort Wayne, IN. Overall, Fort Wayne, IN is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Des Moines, IA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $60,293 in Fort Wayne, IN — about 6% higher in Des Moines, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Fort Wayne, IN

Rent

Studio
$870
$798
+8% in Des Moines, IA
1 Bedroom
$870
$782
+10% in Des Moines, IA
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$984
+10% in Des Moines, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$1,100
+18% in Des Moines, IA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$169,700
+8% in Des Moines, IA

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$60,293
+6% in Des Moines, IA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$47,700
+8% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
35.0 yr
+0.4 yr in Fort Wayne, IN
Homeownership
60.4%
62.2%
+1.8 pp in Fort Wayne, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
28.5%
+0.5 pp in Des Moines, IA
Avg Commute
19.6 min
21.4 min
+1.8 min in Fort Wayne, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
308.9
+56% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
3,156.6
2,245.4
+29% in Des Moines, IA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
50.5°F
+0.4°F in Des Moines, IA
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
38.3 in
+2.3 in in Fort Wayne, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
18.1
+28% in Fort Wayne, IN
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.72
$13.70
+13% in Des Moines, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / IN)
6%
7%
+1.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
2.95%
+0.8 pp in IA

Des Moines vs Fort Wayne — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Fort Wayne?
Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Des Moines, IA's $1,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Fort Wayne?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $31,000 in Fort Wayne.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Fort Wayne?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).