Fort Wayne IN vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.5 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 66.4% | 49.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 11.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 27.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $426,069 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 55.7% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 460 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2417 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 67.4°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 27.7 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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