Fort Wayne IN vs Southaven MS — 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%
Southaven, MS
Mississippi · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$276,140
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Southaven
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Southaven
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Southaven
N/A
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Southaven
N/A
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Southaven
N/A
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Southaven
N/A
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Southaven
N/A
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Southaven
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 66.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Southaven
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Southaven
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Southaven
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $46,995 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Southaven
$276,140
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $276,140 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Southaven
247
Southaven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Southaven
1808
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 247 | Southaven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1808 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Southaven
37.2%
Southaven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Southaven
12.5%
Southaven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Southaven
16.7%
Southaven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Southaven
10.0%
Southaven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Southaven
14.9%
Southaven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Southaven
14.2%
Southaven +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.2% | Southaven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.5% | Southaven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.7% | Southaven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.0% | Southaven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Southaven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.2% | Southaven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Southaven
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Southaven, MS | 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
Southaven
10.0 µg/m³
Southaven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Southaven
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Southaven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Southaven is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Southaven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Southaven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.2%.
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