Fort Wayne IN vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 115,546 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.5 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 8.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 14.6% | 1.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $528,447 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 512 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3234 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 28.6 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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