Fort Wayne IN vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 100,731 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 66.4% | 57.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 6.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $56,025 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $30,475 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 19.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 16.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $439,767 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 40.0% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 22.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 21.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 51.8°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 51.9 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 27.2 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Wayne, IN vs New York, NYFort Wayne, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Wayne, INFort Wayne, IN vs Houston, TXFort Wayne, IN vs Phoenix, AZFort Wayne, IN vs Philadelphia, PA