Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 266,235 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 72.3% | 66.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 10.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $60,293 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $32,884 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,697 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 15.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 28.5% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 40.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.8% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 50.5°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 38.3 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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