Fort Wayne IN vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 66.4% | 63.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 4.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 19.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 47.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 51.8°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 39.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 25.0 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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