Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Boston
47.8%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 266,235 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 35.0 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 9.0% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 21.5% | 14.6% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 5.8% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 10.5% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $60,293 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $32,884 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,697 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 28.5% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Fort Wayne
1719
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 370 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1719 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 40.7% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.8% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.4% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.6% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.8% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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