Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 266,235 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 11.7% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 76.8% | 14.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $245,993 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Fort Wayne
1719
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 50.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 38.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Wayne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fort Wayne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA