Fort Wayne IN vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 169,432 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 3.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 14.6% | 4.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 5.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $45,984 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $30,864 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 19.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 42.9% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 501 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2418 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 56.3°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 45.6 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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