Fort Wayne IN vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 66.4% | 35.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 19.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $265,062 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 42.0% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Houston, 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%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Houston
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 24.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 48.7 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 29.6 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 Houston. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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