Fort Wayne IN vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 132,893 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 66.4% | 36.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $53,771 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 25.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $330,564 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 28.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 52.2°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 47.1 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.0 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 Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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