Fort Wayne IN vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 141,925 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 66.4% | 54.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $51,468 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $28,819 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 24.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 48.9% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 66.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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