Fort Wayne IN vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 98,677 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 7.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 57.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $52,671 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 19.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $279,668 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 51.7% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1726 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Roanoke
18.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 56.0°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 44.5 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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