Fort Wayne IN vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 66.4% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 14.6% | 4.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $293,233 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 55.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1960 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 51.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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