Fort Wayne IN vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 11,626 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 66.4% | 59.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 4.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 27.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 34.4 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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