Fort Wayne IN vs Lake Charles LA — 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 81,679 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.2 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 4.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 47.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 4.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $56,864 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $55,297 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 23.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 61.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 643 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2824 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 45.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.0% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 62.4 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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