Fort Wayne IN vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.5 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 66.4% | 61.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 6.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $871,599 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 44.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 383 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3409 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 52.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 28.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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