Fort Wayne IN vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 66.4% | 36.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $51,888 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $29,679 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 23.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 26.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 41.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.1 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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