Fort Wayne IN vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 66.4% | 61.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 16.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $334,719 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 48.0% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1992 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.2 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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