Fort Wayne IN vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.1 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 66.4% | 36.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 22.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 52.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 57.1°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 48.5 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 34.5 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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