Fort Wayne IN vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 66.4% | 63.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $52,606 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 16.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Louisville
60.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $264,957 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 60.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 43.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.2 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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