Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 77.1% | 66.4% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,697 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.5% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $245,993 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Fort Wayne
370
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Fort Wayne
1719
Tie
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 370 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1719 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Evansville +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 40.7% | Evansville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 22.8 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Evansville. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Wayne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Evansville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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