City Comparison
Fort Wayne vs Terre Haute
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Wayne scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Wayne
Terre Haute
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Terre Haute is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Fort Wayne.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Wayne's average rent is
35% higher than Terre Haute's.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Terre Haute | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $850 | +35% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $175 | $165 | +6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $210 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,025 | $1,685 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fort Wayne offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Wayne delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Wayne is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Terre Haute.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,444 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $47,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Wayne sees 6.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | 55.20°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 84.50°F |
| Winter Low | 18.70°F | 21.70°F |
| Rainfall | 31.40 in | 39.70 in |
| Snowfall | 24.80 in | 18.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 257 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Terre Haute has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Fort Wayne.
Terre Haute scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Terre Haute leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Wayne is the larger city
— approximately 5.4x the population of Terre Haute.
From a growth perspective, Fort Wayne is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 312,688 | 58,380 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Wayne
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain well below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
A nationally recognized riverfront development and extensive park system offer exceptional outdoor recreation.
A robust regional healthcare sector provides world-class medical facilities and abundant employment opportunities.
Short average commute times reduce daily transit friction compared to larger metropolitan areas.
A thriving local arts, culture, and minor league sports scene provides diverse entertainment options.
Drawbacks
High car dependency makes efficient navigation difficult for non-drivers outside the core downtown area.
Certain urban neighborhoods face persistent property and violent crime challenges.
Public transit options are limited in frequency and geographic coverage compared to peer transit-heavy cities.
Winters can be cold and grey, with significant snowfall limiting outdoor activities for parts of the year.
Averaged local wages trail national coastal medians, though balanced by lower living costs.
Terre Haute
Advantages
Median home prices in Terre Haute are substantially lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
The city features multiple reputable higher education institutions including Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman.
An affordable cost of living allows residents to stretch their household budgets further compared to major metro areas.
A manageable average commute time reduces daily transit stress for local workers.
Ongoing downtown revitalization projects are bringing new dining, retail, and entertainment options to the city core.
Drawbacks
Average local salaries lag behind national medians, reflecting the regional economic structure.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily errands and commuting.
Job growth rates in certain high-tech sectors are slower compared to major national innovation hubs.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for harsh seasonal weather conditions.
Certain neighborhoods face economic transition challenges that impact local property values and safety metrics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fort Wayne
#194Indiana, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
51.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
78
Business
72
Terre Haute
#413Indiana, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
55.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
70
Business
63
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