Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Athens
57.6%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.0 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.0% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 26.2% | 14.6% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 10.5% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 28.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Athens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while 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 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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