Fort Wayne IN vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 102,866 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 8.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 54.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
South Bend
$58,697
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $52,512 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $29,511 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,697 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 22.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 58.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
South Bend
370
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
South Bend
1719
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 370 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1719 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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