Fort Wayne IN vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 82,506 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 48.4 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 66.4% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 14.6% | 8.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 26.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $312,001 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 61.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 72.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 54.8 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 25.6 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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