Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 266,235 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.0 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 39.9% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 46.9% | 14.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $60,293 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $32,884 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 28.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 40.7% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.8% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.8% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Atlanta +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Atlanta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, 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 Atlanta. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Atlanta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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