Fort Wayne IN vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 193,721 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 7.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 14.6% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 7.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $50,994 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 20.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $371,202 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 46.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 639 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2350 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 22.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 57.8°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 51.9 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, 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 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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