Fort Wayne IN vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Independence
5.3%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 121,944 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.4 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 5.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 14.6% | 10.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $59,480 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $31,683 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 20.9% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Independence
61.0%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 61.0% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 501 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2418 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 54.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 43.7 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 25.5 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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