Fort Wayne IN vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 190,214 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 66.4% | 40.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 13.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 20.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $429,449 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 41.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Providence
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 27.4 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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