Fort Wayne IN vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 220,482 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.3 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 66.4% | 59.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $496,966 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 56.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 383 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3409 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 53.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 39.2 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 31.1 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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