Fort Wayne IN vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 115,263 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.8 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 66.4% | 46.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
High Point
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
High Point
58.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $251,699 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 58.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
High Point
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
High Point
1999
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 398 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1999 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.7% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.0% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.2% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 60.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 46.1 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, 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 398 in High Point. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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