Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Durham
44.0%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 266,235 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.0 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 9.0% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 34.4% | 14.6% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 10.5% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $60,293 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $32,884 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.5% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 28.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 40.7% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.8% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.4% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.8% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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