Fort Wayne IN vs Great Falls MT — 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%
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 60,412 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 39.3 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 1.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 14.6% | 1.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 4.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 28.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $337,690 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 433 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1984 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.0% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, 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 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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