Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.0 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 9.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 66.4% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 10.5% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $60,293 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $32,884 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,697 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.6% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 28.5% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $245,993 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
1719
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 370 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1719 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 40.7% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 50.5°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 38.3 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Wayne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fort Wayne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.8 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fort Wayne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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