Fort Wayne IN vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.2 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 66.4% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.6% | 14.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 9.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $52,606 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $332,727 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 53.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 55.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 45.2 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Fort Wayne, IN vs New York, NYFort Wayne, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Wayne, INFort Wayne, IN vs Houston, TXFort Wayne, IN vs Phoenix, AZFort Wayne, IN vs Philadelphia, PA