Fort Wayne vs Madison: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Fort Wayne, IN and Madison, WI, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 264,514 | 268,516 |
| Median household income | $58,233 | $74,895 |
| Median home value | $152,500 | $326,600 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $904 | $1,291 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Fort Wayne, IN and Madison, WI comes down to what you value most. Fort Wayne has the lower median home value, and Fort Wayne has the lower median rent.
Madison has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Fort Wayne or Madison?
- By median home value, Fort Wayne is the cheaper of the two ($152,500 vs $326,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Fort Wayne or Madison?
- Median household income is $58,233 in Fort Wayne versus $74,895 in Madison, per the US Census Bureau.