Fort Wayne IN vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 79,526 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 40.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 66.4% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 14.6% | 5.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 4.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $514,358 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1992 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.5 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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