City Comparison
Fort Wayne vs Kokomo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Wayne scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Wayne
Kokomo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kokomo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Fort Wayne.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Wayne's average rent is
21% higher than Kokomo's.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Kokomo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $950 | +21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $220 | -5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,025 | $1,830 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fort Wayne offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kokomo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Wayne is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Kokomo.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,444 idx | 69,048 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $57,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Wayne sees 2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | 52.60°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 18.70°F | 19.30°F |
| Rainfall | 31.40 in | 32.40 in |
| Snowfall | 24.80 in | 22.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 247 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Kokomo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kokomo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Wayne is the larger city
— approximately 5.2x the population of Kokomo.
From a growth perspective, Fort Wayne is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 312,688 | 59,610 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Wayne
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain well below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
A nationally recognized riverfront development and extensive park system offer exceptional outdoor recreation.
A robust regional healthcare sector provides world-class medical facilities and abundant employment opportunities.
Short average commute times reduce daily transit friction compared to larger metropolitan areas.
A thriving local arts, culture, and minor league sports scene provides diverse entertainment options.
Drawbacks
High car dependency makes efficient navigation difficult for non-drivers outside the core downtown area.
Certain urban neighborhoods face persistent property and violent crime challenges.
Public transit options are limited in frequency and geographic coverage compared to peer transit-heavy cities.
Winters can be cold and grey, with significant snowfall limiting outdoor activities for parts of the year.
Averaged local wages trail national coastal medians, though balanced by lower living costs.
Kokomo
Advantages
Median home prices are substantially lower than the national average, per recent Zillow housing data.
Major investments in EV battery manufacturing are driving modern industrial job growth in the region.
An affordable cost of living allows residents to enjoy strong purchasing power on housing and everyday goods.
Abundant local parks, sports complexes, and the Wildcat Creek trail system support an active outdoor lifestyle.
Convenient access via US-31 allows for easy commuting and travel to the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership practically mandatory for daily life.
Local employment remains heavily tied to the automotive and manufacturing sectors, creating cyclical economic exposure.
Extreme winter weather conditions include regular snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring winter preparedness.
Entertainment and nightlife options are limited compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Average educational attainment rates trail national benchmarks in certain specialized technical fields.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fort Wayne
#194Indiana, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
51.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
78
Business
72
Kokomo
#216Indiana, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
52.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
73
Business
67
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