Fort Wayne IN vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 66.4% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 14.6% | 9.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 58.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 449 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2174 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 57.0°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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