Fort Wayne, IN Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Fort Wayne, IN: What You Need to Know

Fort Wayne in northeast Indiana is home to 270,402 people, the second-largest city in the state. It got its name from a legendary, hot-tempered general.

A Storied Local History

Fort Wayne was established in 1794. It was named after Gen. Anthony Wayne, an American Revolutionary War hero, who established the first American fort at the confluence of three rivers – St. Mary's, St. Joseph, and the Maumee Rivers. He was known as “Mad Anthony” for his fearlessness and explosive temperament. In 1779, he famously led his men in storming the British fortifications at Stony Point, New York, with only bayonets. In the 1830s, the Wabash and Erie Canal was built in Fort Wayne, which earned the nickname Summit City because it was the highest point above sea level along the entire canal route.

Things to Do in Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo has 40 acres of beautiful grounds, home to more than 1,000 animals, including capuchin monkeys, penguins, sea otters, lemurs, and red pandas. Families love Science Central with more than 200 permanent hands-on exhibits and touring exhibitions on science and technology. For the outdoorsy, the Allen County Parks system offers lots of hiking, birding, cross-country skiing, swimming, and fishing. There are five parks to choose from: Fox Island, Metea, Payton, Deer Run Wilderness Area, and Cook’s Landing.

The Cost of Living in Fort Wayne

One of the best things about Fort Wayne is its affordability. The city’s cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 4.9%, 3.3%, and 31.2% lower than the national average, respectively. Fort Wayne’s median gross rent is $735. Indiana has a flat state income tax rate of 3.23%. However, counties levy additional taxes of up to 3.38%. There are no local sales taxes in Indiana, just one statewide sales tax rate of 7%.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Fort Wayne proper, which has a large number of renters, gets kudos for its amenities and a pace that’s neither too fast nor too slow. The thriving downtown residential area is attracting millennials and empty nesters alike who want to be close to cultural and other events. In the suburbs, families with school-age children are attracted to Grabill and Huntertown for their excellent schools and proximity to Fort Wayne. Residents love Grabill’s rural feel and Huntertown’s great amenities, including medical facilities.

The Local Sports Scene

In Fort Wayne, the minor leagues rule. Local sports fans root for the Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL), TinCaps (Midwest League Baseball), and Mad Ants (NBA G League). Fort Wayne fans also cheer on Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Mastodon athletic teams. They compete in 14 sports, including men’s baseball, basketball, golf, and soccer, as well as women’s basketball, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball.