Fort Wayne IN vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 149,827 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 1.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 14.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 0.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 2.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $43,238 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $26,868 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $46,995 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 9.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 26.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 48.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1808 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 46.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 64.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 54.1 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Jackson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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