Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 9.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 66.4% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 10.5% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $60,293 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $32,884 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,697 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.5% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 28.5% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
1719
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 370 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1719 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 40.7% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.8% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.4% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.8% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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