Fort Wayne IN vs Huntington WV — 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%
Huntington, WV
West Virginia · Population: 46,189
- Median HH Income$43,146
- Median Home Price$138,553
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+34.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
46,189
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Huntington
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
1.8%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
6.5%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
1.3%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
2.0%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Huntington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 46,189 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.9 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 1.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 85.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 14.6% | 6.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 2.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
$43,146
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
$30,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $43,146 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $30,024 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $50,163 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 27.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 34.4% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
52.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $138,553 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 52.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
1999
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Huntington, WV | 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%
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
24.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
20.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 46.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 24.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.7% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 20.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
56.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Huntington
43.1 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 56.1°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 43.1 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Huntington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Huntington
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Huntington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 20.2 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Huntington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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