Fort Wayne IN vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 113,714 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 40.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 4.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 14.6% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 3.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 16.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Springfield
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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