Fort Wayne IN vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 124,865 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.4 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 4.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 14.6% | 1.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 9.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $57,074 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $534,732 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.6 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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