Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 266,235 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.0 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 9.0% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 23.7% | 14.6% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 10.5% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $60,293 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $32,884 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 28.5% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 40.7% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.8% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.4% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.8% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, 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 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Dallas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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