Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 266,235 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.0 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 9.0% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 34.1% | 14.6% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 5.8% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 10.5% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $60,293 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $32,884 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 15.6% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 28.5% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.7% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.8% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.7% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.8% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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