Fort Wayne IN vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 66.4% | 48.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 7.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 17.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $251,035 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 52.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 24.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 68.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 26.5 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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