Fort Wayne IN vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.3 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 66.4% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 14.6% | 11.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $297,017 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 57.7% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1960 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 51.1°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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