Fort Wayne IN vs Schenectady 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 28,542 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 42.3 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 6.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 14.6% | 3.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 4.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $321,835 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 57.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Schenectady, 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%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.9% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 26.2 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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