Fort Wayne IN vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 235,037 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 7.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 44.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 9.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 17.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $310,519 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 45.7% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1726 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 60.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 50.8 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.4 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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