Fort Wayne IN vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 205,501 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 66.4% | 58.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 12.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 19.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $435,532 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 42.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 48.1 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 27.3 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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