Fort Wayne IN vs Kent 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 84,389 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.8 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 66.4% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 14.6% | 2.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 27.0% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $657,911 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kent, 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%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Kent
10.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 53.2°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 39.1 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.0 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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