Fort Wayne IN vs Garland 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Garland
245,298
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 245,298 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 66.4% | 37.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 15.3% | Garland + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $31,477 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 25.0% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Garland
$289,605
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Garland
61.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $289,605 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 61.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Garland, 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%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.0% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 22.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 69.1°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 49.5 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Garland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 32.5 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, 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 Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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