Fort Wayne IN vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 66.4% | 39.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $580,173 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 41.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 398 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1999 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 24.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 32.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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