Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 266,235 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 66.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $60,293 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $32,884 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 28.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
62.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 62.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Fort Wayne
1719
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 40.7% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 13.8% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 10.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.8% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 50.5°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Wayne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fort Wayne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Fort Wayne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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