Fort Wayne IN vs Laredo TX — 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%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
255,949
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 255,949 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 66.4% | 37.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 0.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 0.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $63,264 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $24,584 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 20.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 21.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 42.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 35.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 74.2°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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