Fort Wayne IN vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 202,739 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.4 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 7.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 46.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 10.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $53,714 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 16.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 54.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 660 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2507 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 62.7°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 50.0 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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