Fort Wayne IN vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 227,595 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 8.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 43.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 10.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 18.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $374,265 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 43.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1726 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 58.9°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 43.6 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.6 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Wayne, IN vs New York, NYFort Wayne, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Wayne, INFort Wayne, IN vs Houston, TXFort Wayne, IN vs Phoenix, AZFort Wayne, IN vs Philadelphia, PA