Torn between small‑town living in Garrett and the bigger‑city energy of Fort Wayne? You are not alone. Budget, commute, lot size, and schools all pull in different directions. In this guide, you will see the tradeoffs side by side so you can choose with clarity. Let’s dive in.
How prices and pace compare
Buying power is often the first filter. Garrett’s typical home value trends lower than Fort Wayne’s citywide median sale price, and the two markets move at different speeds.
- Garrett’s typical home value is about $177,413 (Zillow ZHVI, through Dec 31, 2025). The U.S. Census reports a $154,200 median value of owner‑occupied homes for Garrett (ACS 2020 to 2024).
- Fort Wayne’s citywide median sale price is about $214,000 (Redfin, Jan 2026). Inside the city, submarkets vary widely, with some quadrants well above and some below that number.
- Fort Wayne is described as a competitive market with a median of roughly 41 days on market in recent snapshots, while Garrett’s smaller size means thinner inventory and fewer monthly listings.
What this means for you: if your top goal is the lowest purchase price for a single‑family home, you will likely find more options in Garrett and in a few of Fort Wayne’s lower‑priced neighborhoods. If you want faster resale and more choices week to week, Fort Wayne’s larger market provides more selection.
Housing types and lot sizes
The two places feel different on the ground. Garrett skews toward owner‑occupied single‑family homes, while Fort Wayne offers a wider mix that includes multifamily and infill.
- Owner‑occupied rate: Garrett about 79.5%, Fort Wayne about 61.9% (ACS 2020 to 2024). See the U.S. Census QuickFacts for Garrett for context.
- Lot sizes: Around Garrett and DeKalb County, you frequently see 0.3 to multi‑acre lots, including hobby‑acreage. Inside Fort Wayne, older central neighborhoods often sit on smaller city lots near 0.09 to 0.17 acres, while suburban tracts and nearby exurban pockets offer 0.25 to 0.5+ acre lots.
Bottom line: if outdoor space ranks high, Garrett and nearby county areas give you more frequent large‑lot options. If you prefer compact yards with lower upkeep or want newer suburban plats, several Fort Wayne submarkets fit well.
Commute and transportation
Garrett is within the daily commuting shed for Fort Wayne. Your exact route and work address will shape the drive.
- Distance: Garrett to downtown Fort Wayne is about 24 miles with typical 20 to 35 minute drives depending on traffic. You can confirm with this Garrett to Fort Wayne drive‑time example.
- Local averages: Mean travel time to work runs about 20.2 minutes for Garrett residents and 21.5 minutes for Fort Wayne residents (ACS 2020 to 2024 aggregates).
- Transit: Fort Wayne’s Citilink offers fixed‑route bus and paratransit inside the Fort Wayne and New Haven service area. For daily transit use, living near routes inside the city is important. Learn more about Citilink’s service area.
If you need walkable access to bus routes or want a very short commute to downtown employers, focus on Fort Wayne. If you drive to work or keep flexible hours, Garrett remains a manageable option.
Schools and programs
School preferences differ by family. Garrett’s public schools are served by the Garrett‑Keyser‑Butler (GKB) School Corporation, a smaller, locally focused district with neighborhood schools. Explore programs and enrollment on the GKB district site.
Fort Wayne is primarily served by Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS), a larger district with many campuses and specialized offerings that include magnet and career and technical programs. See current options on the FWCS website.
For a sense of local scale, public directories list Garrett High School at roughly the mid‑hundreds by enrollment. You can view an example enrollment snapshot for Garrett High School. Always verify with district sources for current counts and programs.
Taxes and monthly costs
County medians show a modest ownership‑cost gap. Actual bills vary by assessed value, deductions, and taxing district.
- Property taxes: DeKalb County’s median property tax is about $886 per year. Allen County’s median is about $1,067 per year. These are county‑level medians for illustration. See DeKalb County’s median estimate and contact the assessor for parcel‑specific taxes.
- Monthly owner costs with a mortgage: Garrett about $1,105 and Fort Wayne about $1,240 (ACS 2020 to 2024 aggregates). Your payment will depend on your loan terms, taxes, insurance, and down payment.
Side‑by‑side snapshot
| Factor | Garrett | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price/value | ~$177,413 typical value (Zillow ZHVI, Dec 31, 2025) | ~$214,000 median sale price (Redfin, Jan 2026) |
| Market tempo | Small market, thinner monthly inventory | Larger market, competitive and faster turnover |
| Owner‑occupied rate | ~79.5% (ACS 2020 to 2024) | ~61.9% (ACS 2020 to 2024) |
| Lot size pattern | Frequent 0.3 to multi‑acre options | Mix of small urban lots and 0.25 to 0.5+ acre suburban lots |
| Commute to downtown FW | About 20 to 35 minutes by car | Varies by neighborhood, often shorter for near‑in areas |
| Transit access | Generally car‑dependent | Fixed‑route bus service within city area |
| School districts | Garrett‑Keyser‑Butler (GKB) | Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) |
| County median taxes | DeKalb ~ $886/year | Allen ~ $1,067/year |
| Median owner costs w/ mortgage | ~$1,105/month | ~$1,240/month |
Sources and vintages: Zillow ZHVI through Dec 31, 2025; Redfin Jan 2026; ACS 2020 to 2024; county tax medians from tax‑rates.org; commute illustration from distancesfrom.com; district sites for program details.
How to choose with confidence
Use your top priorities to guide the search. This quick framework helps you decide where to focus first.
Choose Garrett if you value
- Lower entry price for single‑family homes within commuting distance of Fort Wayne.
- Larger yards or hobby‑acreage opportunities in and around DeKalb County.
- A small‑town school community through GKB and a quieter residential setting.
- Willingness to trade a slightly longer commute for space and price.
Choose Fort Wayne if you value
- A wider selection of homes each week and generally faster resale.
- Shorter commutes to many employers and access to fixed‑route transit.
- Proximity to urban amenities and a range of neighborhood types and prices.
- Access to a larger district with magnet and career‑technical program options through FWCS.
Shop smart in either market
- Set your price band and compare recent sales in the same range for both locations. This keeps the choice apples to apples.
- Filter for lot size and year built to match how you live. Larger lots are more common near Garrett, while Fort Wayne offers both compact and suburban options.
- Test your commute at real commute hours to your exact work address. Time of day matters.
- Review district program offerings and enrollment policies on the GKB and FWCS sites.
- Ask for parcel‑level tax estimates and insurance quotes before making an offer.
- Plan for market speed. Fort Wayne can move quickly, so have financing ready. Garrett can reward patience and a close watch on new listings.
When you want a data‑driven plan tailored to your goals, our appraiser‑led team is here to help you compare, value, and negotiate with confidence. Start a conversation with Morken Real Estate Services, Inc. to align your budget, commute, and wish list. Request Your Home Valuation and make your next move with clarity.
FAQs
What is the main price difference between Garrett and Fort Wayne?
- Garrett’s typical value is around $177,413 while Fort Wayne’s citywide median sale price is about $214,000, so Garrett generally offers a lower entry point.
How long is the commute from Garrett to downtown Fort Wayne?
- The drive is roughly 20 to 35 minutes under normal traffic for the 24‑mile trip, depending on the route and time of day.
Where will I find larger lots more easily?
- You will see larger 0.3 to multi‑acre lots more frequently in Garrett and DeKalb County, while Fort Wayne mixes small urban lots with some 0.25 to 0.5+ acre suburban parcels.
How do property taxes compare between the two areas?
- County medians show DeKalb around $886 per year and Allen around $1,067 per year, but actual taxes vary by parcel, assessed value, and deductions.
How do school district options differ in Garrett and Fort Wayne?
- Garrett is served by GKB, a smaller district, while Fort Wayne is served mainly by FWCS with larger scale and specialized magnet and career‑technical programs.
