Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Fort Wayne to Houston
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Houston, Texas, present distinct trade-offs between housing affordability, income, and commutes. Fort Wayne offers a smaller population of 268,589 with a median household income of $61,422, paired with lower housing costs including a median gross rent of $999 and a median home value of $188,900. Its derived one-way commute is shorter at 23 minutes. Conversely, Houston accommodates 2,328,253 residents with a slightly higher median household income of $64,813, but requires higher housing expenses with a median gross rent of $1,361 and a median home value of $277,800, alongside a longer 30-minute commute. While Houston utilizes a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 0.00%, Fort Wayne's state tax is excluded. Neither citywide data set dictates a universal winner.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → Fort WayneMoving from Fort Wayne to Houston
Median Rent Impact
+$362/mo
Moving to Houston costs ~$4,344 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+7 min / day
Difference of ~58 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTFOR → HOU
54/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$8,040after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Fort Wayne is about $4,344 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Fort Wayne household income$61,422
Houston household income$64,813
Fort Wayne gross rent$999
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 268,589 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $61,422 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $999 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $188,900 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 23 minutes in Fort Wayne and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Fort Wayne median rent is $999 versus Houston's $1,361
- Houston median household income is $64,813 compared to Fort Wayne's $61,422
- Fort Wayne shorter derived one-way commute of 23 minutes versus 30 minutes in Houston
- Houston median home value is $277,800 compared to Fort Wayne's $188,900
What each city wins
Fort Wayne
Rent consumes under 20% of median income locally.. Watch lower housing costs may reflect tradeoffs in job access or amenities..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do median gross rents compare between Fort Wayne and Houston?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, the median gross rent in Fort Wayne is $999 per month, whereas the median gross rent in Houston is higher at $1,361 per month.
What are the population and commute differences in these cities?
Fort Wayne has an estimated population of 268,589 with a derived one-way commute of 23 minutes. Houston is substantially larger with 2,328,253 residents and a longer derived one-way commute of 30 minutes.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.