Fort Wayne IN vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 114,080 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 66.4% | 51.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 6.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 18.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
59.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $253,423 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 59.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 25.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 65.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.7 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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