Fort Wayne IN vs Kennewick WA — 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%
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 23,594 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 66.4% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 14.6% | 3.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 10.7% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $433,399 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Kennewick
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 383 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3409 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Kennewick
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.4% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 54.7°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 32.4 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, 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 383 in Kennewick. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kennewick scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.4%.
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