Fort Wayne IN vs Hialeah FL — 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
221,901
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 221,901 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 45.9 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 66.4% | 32.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 1.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 0.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $53,079 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $25,766 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 17.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 21.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
47.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $444,086 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 47.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 19.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 34.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 76.0°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 70.4 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hialeah + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 31.7 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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