Fort Wayne IN vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
62.2%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 79,255 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 4.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 5.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $59,808 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $30,004 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 17.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $264,994 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 49.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
1726
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1726 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 54.8°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 41.5 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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