Fort Wayne IN vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 114,799 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.5 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 66.4% | 50.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 10.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 16.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $484,226 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 44.0% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 47.0 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 30.1 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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