Fort Wayne IN vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 105,460 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.6 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 5.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 14.6% | 1.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 7.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 24.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $414,734 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 57.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane Valley, 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%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, 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 Spokane Valley. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Wayne, IN vs New York, NYFort Wayne, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Wayne, INFort Wayne, IN vs Houston, TXFort Wayne, IN vs Phoenix, AZFort Wayne, IN vs Philadelphia, PA