Fort Wayne IN vs Lynn 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 100,905 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.8 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 66.4% | 44.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 12.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $35,083 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 23.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Lynn
50.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $584,482 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 50.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.6% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 33.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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