Fort Wayne IN vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 209,720 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 8.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 41.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $46,628 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $30,451 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 26.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 37.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 434 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1736 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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 38.0%.
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