Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 266,235 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 9.0% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 28.4% | 14.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 5.8% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 10.5% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $60,293 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $32,884 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,697 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 28.5% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 370 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 40.7% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.8% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.8% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 50.5°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 38.3 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX