Fort Wayne IN vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 229,228 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.2 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 6.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 14.6% | 2.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 7.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $400,636 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 58.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane, 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
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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