Fort Wayne IN vs Springfield MA — 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 154,751 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 66.4% | 40.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $51,339 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $27,054 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 25.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 19.7% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $298,985 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 49.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 21.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.5% | Fort Wayne + |
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
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 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 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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