Fort Wayne IN vs Nashua NH — 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%
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 91,131 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 39.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 66.4% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 14.6% | 2.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $507,692 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 56.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 48.0 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 27.6 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Nashua has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Nashua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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