Bloomington MN 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)
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
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
Bloomington
71,261
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 9.0% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 66.4% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 5.8% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $60,293 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $32,884 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,697 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 15.6% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 28.5% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
62.2%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 62.2% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 370 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 40.7% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.8% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.4% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.6% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.8% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Bloomington +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bloomington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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