Fort Wayne IN vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 154,776 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 66.4% | 44.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $59,183 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $28,059 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 17.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 20.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
60.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 60.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 449 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2174 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.7 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Wayne, IN vs New York, NYFort Wayne, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Wayne, INFort Wayne, IN vs Houston, TXFort Wayne, IN vs Phoenix, AZFort Wayne, IN vs Philadelphia, PA