Fort Wayne IN vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.6 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 6.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 45.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 5.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $55,279 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 19.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 45.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Louis, 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. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.0 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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