Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fort Wayne, IN
VS
Glendale, AZ
🏆 Fort Wayne leads 15 of 23 categories
Fort Wayne
Indiana
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,233
Violent Crime Index
81 ✓ Safer
Population
264,514 ✓ Larger
Glendale
Arizona
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6
Median Household Income
$66,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High
Population
248,083
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fort Wayne, IN
Pros
Homes cost $158k less ($152,500 vs $310,000)
37% less violent crime than Glendale
Rent averages $364/mo less ($904 vs $1,268)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 105°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.0)
Cons
Median income trails Glendale by $8,142/yr
Glendale, AZ
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 33°F
Households earn $8,142 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $310,000
Violent crime (488.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2670.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Fort Wayne
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 90.0 vs 97.6 (100 = US avg)
Fort Wayne
Violent Crime
37% lower
307.5 vs 488.4 per 100k
Fort Wayne
Median Home Value
$158k less
$152,500 vs $310,000
Glendale
Median Income
$8,142
$66,375 vs $58,233/yr
Glendale
Summer Heat
20.8°F warmer
July avg high 104.9°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Glendale, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.0 ✓ Cheaper | 97.6 |
| Median Home Value | $152,500 ✓ Lower | $310,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $904 ✓ Lower | $1,268 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,233 | $66,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter | 28.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 91 ✓ Safer | 128⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 81 ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 106⚠ High ✓ Safer | 127⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.1% ✓ Higher | 22.6% |
| High School or Higher | 88.8% ✓ Higher | 84.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fort Wayne Community Schools | Peoria Unified School District (4237) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.6°F | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 104.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 38.7" | 8.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.6" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 264,514 ✓ Larger | 248,083 |
| Median Age | 35.1 ✓ Older | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.6% ✓ Higher | 57.2% |
| Under 18 | 24.3% | 25.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.7% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fort Wayne's cost of living index is 90.0 vs Glendale's 97.6 (US average = 100).
Fort Wayne is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fort Wayne leads 15 of 23 categories. Fort Wayne wins 15 and Glendale wins 8. 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 Fort Wayne to Glendale or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($152,500 vs $310,000 median home), income ($58,233 vs $66,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fort Wayne, IN and Glendale, AZ are about 1,568 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.