Is Fort Wayne, IN cheaper than St. Paul, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Fort Wayne, IN is 21.0% cheaper than St. Paul, MN. This translates to saving $1571 per month.

What salary do I need in Fort Wayne, IN to live like I do in St. Paul, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in St. Paul, MN, you'd need approximately $131,142.857 in Fort Wayne, IN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between St. Paul, MN and Fort Wayne, IN?

Housing in Fort Wayne, IN is 32.7% cheaper than in St. Paul, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,090/month in Fort Wayne, IN compared to $1,680/month in St. Paul, MN.

How much can I save per month by moving from St. Paul, MN to Fort Wayne, IN?

Moving from St. Paul, MN to Fort Wayne, IN could save you approximately $1571 per month, or $18857 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

St. Paul, MN vs Fort Wayne, IN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in St. Paul, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.6K/month moving to Fort Wayne, IN

$150.0K in your current city equals $131.1K in Fort Wayne, IN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI area

Overall Cost

↓ 21.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,571

Savings

Annual Impact

$18.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

St. Paul, MN

Population:304K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$274K

Fort Wayne, IN

Population:270K

Cost Index:

(21% below avg)

Median Home:$206K

St. Paul, MN

The North Star State

304K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 304K residents.

Fort Wayne, IN

The Hoosier State

270K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Indiana, this city has a population of 270K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: St. Paul, MN vs Fort Wayne, IN

Category	St. Paul, MN	Fort Wayne, IN	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,703/mo	$1,819/mo	↓ $884less	32.7%
Other	$1,724/mo	$1,490/mo	↓ $234less	13.6%
Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,188/mo	↓ $191less	13.9%
Healthcare	$756/mo	$582/mo	↓ $173less	23.0%
Groceries	$1,029/mo	$919/mo	↓ $110less	10.7%
All Utilities	$508/mo	$503/mo	↓ $5.46less	1.1%

Housing

↓ 32.7%

St. Paul, MN

$2,703

Fort Wayne, IN

$1,819

Difference

$884

less

Other

↓ 13.6%

St. Paul, MN

$1,724

Fort Wayne, IN

$1,490

Difference

$234

less

Transportation

↓ 13.9%

St. Paul, MN

$1,380

Fort Wayne, IN

$1,188

Difference

$191

less

Healthcare

↓ 23.0%

St. Paul, MN

$756

Fort Wayne, IN

$582

Difference

$173

less

Groceries

↓ 10.7%

St. Paul, MN

$1,029

Fort Wayne, IN

$919

Difference

$110

less

All Utilities

↓ 1.1%

St. Paul, MN

$508

Fort Wayne, IN

$503

Difference

$5.46

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Fort Wayne, IN: Allen County Income Tax$2,220/yr (1.5%)

St. Paul, MN has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$870

↓ $350

1 Bed

From$1,380

To$900

↓ $480

2 Bed

From$1,680

To$1,090

↓ $590

3 Bed

From$2,225

To$1,350

↓ $875

St. Paul, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$1,680/mo

Fort Wayne, INZIP-level data

1BR range: $790–$1,360/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,100

Monthly in St. Paul, MN

$6,502

Monthly in Fort Wayne, IN

$1,598

Difference

Home Values

St. Paul

Fort Wayne

Median Value

$206K

YoY Change

↑ +2.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +46.8%

Price Range

$104K - $439K

Calculate payment - Fort Wayne

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $5.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$466

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.7%

Rate difference

St. Paul, MN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Minnesota State Tax

Effective: 7.0%

$10.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.6%

$47.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,546/month

$102.6K

Fort Wayne, IN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Indiana State Tax

Effective: 3.2%

$4.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.9%

$41.9K

Take-Home Pay

$9,012/month

$108.1K

Additional Tax Information

St. Paul, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

Fort Wayne, IN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.