Fort Wayne IN vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 149,785 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.3 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 66.4% | 52.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 25.0% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $264,637 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 50.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 31.7 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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