Fort Wayne IN vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 146,211 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 66.4% | 51.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 10.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $45,845 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $27,570 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 29.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 41.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 434 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1736 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 41.5 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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