Fort Wayne IN vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 66.4% | 53.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Indianapolis
$58,697
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,697 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 55.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Indianapolis
370
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Indianapolis
1719
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 370 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1719 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 41.8 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 25.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Indianapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³).
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