Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Fort Wayne to Phoenix
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, comparing Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Phoenix, Arizona, highlights distinct financial and lifestyle trade-offs. Fort Wayne offers a more affordable cost of living, with a median gross rent of $999 and a median home value of $188,900, paired with a median household income of $61,422 and a 23-minute commute. Conversely, Phoenix features a larger population of 1,642,323, a higher median household income of $81,332, but substantially higher housing costs, including a median gross rent of $1,582 and a median home value of $420,700, along with a 28-minute commute. Additionally, Phoenix includes a simplified state income-tax reference of 2.50%, whereas Fort Wayne's state individual income tax is excluded. Neither citywide dataset evaluates neighborhood safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → Fort WayneMoving from Fort Wayne to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$583/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$6,996 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+5 min / day
Difference of ~42 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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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 → PHX
50/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$2,588after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Fort Wayne is about $6,996 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Fort Wayne gross rent$999
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 268,589 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $61,422 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $999 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $188,900 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 23 minutes in Fort Wayne and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- Median household income differences
- Gross rent and home values
- One-way commute duration estimates
- State individual income-tax references
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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do Fort Wayne and Phoenix compare in median household income?
According to 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Fort Wayne has a median household income of $61,422, while Phoenix records a higher median household income of $81,332.
What are the housing cost differences between Fort Wayne and Phoenix?
Fort Wayne features a median gross rent of $999 and a median home value of $188,900, whereas Phoenix has a median gross rent of $1,582 and a median home value of $420,700 based on 2024 ACS data.
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.