Fort Wayne IN vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 11,627 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 66.4% | 52.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $472,888 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 17.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 22.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 29.2 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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