Fort Wayne IN vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 119,970 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 66.4% | 26.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $45,300 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $27,319 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 25.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 18.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 25.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 40.4% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 50.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 45.9 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.4 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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