Fort Wayne IN vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.6 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 66.4% | 51.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $376,530 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 50.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Tampa
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 73.4°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 46.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 26.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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