Fort Wayne IN vs Port St. Lucie FL — 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%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 220,453 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 43.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 19.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 66.4% | 60.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 19.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 23.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $78,137 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $36,352 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 8.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 26.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $327,700 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 83.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Port St. Lucie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 30.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Port St. Lucie, FL | 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
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 32.0 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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