Fort Wayne IN vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 199,696 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 8.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 50.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $55,931 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 23.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $293,664 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 39.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 67.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 58.1 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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