Fort Wayne IN vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 7.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 25.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 10.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $51,211 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $32,314 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 22.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 28.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 46.0% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 639 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2350 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 42.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 17.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.9% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 60.9°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 54.9 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.9 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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