Fort Wayne IN vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Sparks
N/A
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sparks, NV | 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
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sparks, NV | 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 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| 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 +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $530,668 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 460 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2417 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 52.4°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sparks, NV | 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, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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