Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Flint
34.4%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 34.4% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 56.6% | 14.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $245,993 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Fort Wayne
1719
| Metric | Flint, 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 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 40.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.7% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 50.5°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 38.3 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Wayne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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
Flint, MI vs New York, NYFlint, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Flint, MIFlint, MI vs Houston, TXFlint, MI vs Phoenix, AZFlint, MI vs Philadelphia, PA