Fort Wayne IN vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 147,649 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.5 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 66.4% | 55.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $53,328 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $30,409 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 21.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 23.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 53.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 44.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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