Fort Wayne IN vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 66.4% | 16.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $48,416 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $25,509 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 10.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 24.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 17.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $482,675 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 24.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 23.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 54.9°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 46.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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