Fort Wayne IN vs Grand Prairie 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%
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Grand Prairie
198,564
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 198,564 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.5 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 23.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 66.4% | 32.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 24.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 47.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $78,889 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $34,348 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 29.0% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Grand Prairie
57.9%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $318,759 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 57.9% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Grand Prairie
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Grand Prairie
2339
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Grand Prairie, 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%
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 22.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Grand Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Grand Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 30.5 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, 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 Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Grand Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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