Fort Wayne IN vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 71,542 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.9 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 4.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 14.6% | 6.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 7.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $55,578 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $31,499 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 18.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 22.7% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 61.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Charles, 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%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Charles, MO | 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
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and St. Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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