Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 266,235 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 27.4% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 60.0% | 14.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $32,884 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,697 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 28.5% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $245,993 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 40.7% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.7% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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