Fort Wayne, Indiana
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.96 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.10 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,153, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Fort Wayne's cost-of-living index of 78 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.96
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,153
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$10.34
Combo meal
Electricity
16.19¢
per kWh · ~$146/mo
Car Insurance
$148/mo
$1,780/yr
Median Household Income
$68,839
30% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,780 in Fort Wayne. Compare rates:
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Find Apartments
Avg rent $1,153/mo in Fort Wayne. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$5.02 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$7.28 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.29 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$1.89 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$4.82 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$11.20 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$4.96 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.05 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$4.84 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.48 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.11 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.18 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$4.65 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$5.65 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$8.32 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.95 | $5.02 | +27.1% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.11 | $7.28 | +19.1% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.29 | $6.29 | +18.9% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.42 | $1.89 | +33.1% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.87 | $4.82 | +24.5% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $7.91 | $11.20 | +41.6% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.40 | $4.96 | +45.9% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.50 | $4.05 | +15.7% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.10 | $4.84 | +18.0% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.01 | $2.48 | +23.4% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.66 | $2.11 | +27.1% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.87 | $7.18 | +47.4% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.65 | +22.7% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.42 | $5.65 | +27.8% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $5.77 | $8.32 | +44.2% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$10.34
Casual Dining
$17.76
Monthly Spend
$315.34
+5.09% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $6.41
$10.34
+61.3%Wendy's
2022: $7.24
$11.17
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $7.75
$11.58
+49.4%Starbucks
2022: $3.54
$4.91
+38.7%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Fort Wayne?
Average 1BR: $945/mo · 2BR: $1,361/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
198k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,156
$60k/yr
Top Sector
Education & Health Services
Household vs Worker Pay
$69k
household median
Employment by Sector — Fort Wayne
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$66k/yr
~$53k/yr
~$72k/yr
~$23k/yr
~$67k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 18003
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$1,593/wk · $83k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$445/wk · $23k/yr
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