El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 266,235 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.0 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 9.0% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 3.6% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 10.5% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $245,993 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 40.7% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.8% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 38.3 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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