Fort Wayne IN vs Kansas City 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 8.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 57.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $253,319 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 54.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, 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%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Kansas City
10.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Kansas City
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 54.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 38.9 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.4 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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