Fort Wayne IN vs Rochester 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 26,509 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 7.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 14.6% | 3.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 3.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $344,633 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1992 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 28.3 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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