Living Cost Compare
Fort Wayne

Indiana

$980/mo est.

vs
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $980 in Fort Wayne, IN versus $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI. Overall, Fort Wayne, IN is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $60,293 in Fort Wayne, IN and $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI — about 8% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Fort Wayne, IN
Grand Rapids, MI

Rent

Studio
$798
$992
+24% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$782
$964
+23% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$984
$1,206
+23% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,100
$1,421
+29% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$169,700
$225,500
+33% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$60,293
$65,526
+9% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,700
$47,570
+0% in Fort Wayne, IN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.0 yr
32.1 yr
+2.9 yr in Fort Wayne, IN
Homeownership
62.2%
54.6%
+7.6 pp in Fort Wayne, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
28.5%
40.1%
+11.6 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
21.4 min
19.4 min
+2.0 min in Fort Wayne, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
308.9
910.1
+195% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,245.4
2,506.2
+12% in Grand Rapids, MI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
50.5°F
49.1°F
+1.4°F in Fort Wayne, IN
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
38.3 in
+0.1 in in Fort Wayne, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
17.5
23.0
+31% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$24.52
$19.72
+20% in Fort Wayne, IN

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 (IN / MI)
7%
6%
+1.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
4.25%
+1.3 pp in MI

Fort Wayne vs Grand Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fort Wayne or Grand Rapids?
Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fort Wayne than in Grand Rapids?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $31,000 a year in Fort Wayne versus $39,000 in Grand Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Fort Wayne or Grand Rapids?
Fort Wayne is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax); Grand Rapids under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% 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).