Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Fort Wayne, IN
🏆 Carrollton leads 13 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284
Fort Wayne
Indiana
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,233
Violent Crime Index
81
Population
264,514 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Households earn $37,147 more per year on average
55% less violent crime than Fort Wayne
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 33°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN
Pros
Homes cost $175k less ($152,500 vs $327,300)
Rent averages $651/mo less ($904 vs $1,555)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.0)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $37,147/yr
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$37,147
$95,380 vs $58,233/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
55% lower
137.1 vs 307.5 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.8% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
10.2°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 84.1°F
Fort Wayne
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 90.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Fort Wayne
Median Home Value
$175k less
$152,500 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Fort Wayne, IN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 90.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $152,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $904 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $58,233 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 91 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 81 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 106⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 | 13.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 28.1% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% ✓ Higher | 88.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Fort Wayne Community Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 32.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 84.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" | 38.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 33.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 | 264,514 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 35.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 24.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 14.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Fort Wayne's 90.0 (US average = 100).
Fort Wayne is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 13 of 23 categories. Carrollton wins 13 and Fort Wayne wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carrollton to Fort Wayne or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $152,500 median home), income ($95,380 vs $58,233), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Fort Wayne, IN are about 855 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.