Akron OH vs Fort Wayne IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Akron
56.1%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 56.1% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 29.4% | 14.6% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $245,993 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 40.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.7% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 50.5°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 38.3 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Wayne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fort Wayne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fort Wayne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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