Fort Wayne IN vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 115,415 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.9 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 66.4% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 14.6% | 5.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $441,257 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 49.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 44.6 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 25.7 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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