Fort Wayne IN vs Fort Worth TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Fort Worth
47.7%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Fort Worth
5.2%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 941,311 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 17.0% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 66.4% | 47.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 19.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $76,602 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $37,157 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 31.7% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Fort Worth
$299,655
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Fort Worth
56.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $299,655 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 56.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Fort Worth
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Fort Worth
2339
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Fort Worth
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Fort Worth
20.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Fort Worth
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.8% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 65.8°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 37.8 in | Fort Worth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Fort Worth
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fort Worth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Fort Worth
29.0 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 29.0 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, 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 442 in Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Worth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Wayne, IN vs New York, NYFort Wayne, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Wayne, INFort Wayne, IN vs Houston, TXFort Wayne, IN vs Phoenix, AZFort Wayne, IN vs Philadelphia, PA