Is it cheaper to live in Fort Wayne or Meridian?

Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $31,000 a year in Fort Wayne versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Fort Wayne or Meridian?

Fort Wayne is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Fort Wayne vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Fort Wayne

Indiana

$980/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Fort Wayne, IN is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $60,293 in Fort Wayne, IN and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 39% higher in Meridian, ID. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Fort Wayne, IN

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$798

$1,523

+91% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$782

$1,540

+97% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$984

$1,489

+51% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,893

+72% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$169,700

$485,000

+186% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$60,293

$98,686

+64% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,700

$49,100

+3% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.0 yr

37.4 yr

+2.4 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

62.2%

76.1%

+13.9 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.5%

44.4%

+15.9 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

21.4 min

22.3 min

+0.9 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

308.9

150.3

+51% in Fort Wayne, IN

Property Crime

2,245.4

583.5

+74% 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

50.5°F

52.5°F

+2.0°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

38.3 in

11.7 in

+26.6 in in Fort Wayne, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Meridian, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.5

14.4

+18% in Fort Wayne, IN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.52

$11.33

+54% in Fort Wayne, IN

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fort Wayne, IN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Fort Wayne, IN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IN / ID)

+1.0 pp in IN

Income Tax (top rate)

2.95%

5.30%

+2.3 pp in ID

Fort Wayne vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fort Wayne or Meridian?: Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fort Wayne than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $31,000 a year in Fort Wayne versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Fort Wayne or Meridian?: Fort Wayne is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).