City Comparison
Fort Wayne vs Lawrence
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Wayne scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Wayne
Lawrence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Wayne is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Lawrence.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Lawrence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,250 | -8% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $230 | -9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,025 | $2,150 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lawrence offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lawrence 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 $52,000 in Lawrence.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,444 idx | 66,304 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $63,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Wayne sees 6.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | 53.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 83.70°F |
| Winter Low | 18.70°F | 20.90°F |
| Rainfall | 31.40 in | 42.10 in |
| Snowfall | 24.80 in | 18.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 240 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fort Wayne has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Lawrence.
Lawrence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lawrence leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Wayne is the larger city
— approximately 6.5x the population of Lawrence.
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 | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 312,688 | 48,312 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Lawrence
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain comfortably below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Direct access to the 1,700-acre Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park providing extensive outdoor recreation.
Convenient location just northeast of downtown Indianapolis offering easy commuting and metropolitan access.
Diverse and welcoming community with active local civic engagement and family-oriented neighborhoods.
Solid local educational options and proximity to top-tier higher education institutions in Marion County.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with limited public transit infrastructure outside of major commuter routes.
Crime rates in certain pockets of the city require careful neighborhood selection for prospective residents.
Property tax rates in Marion County can occasionally offset some of the savings from lower home purchase prices.
Retail and dining options within city limits are somewhat limited compared to central Indianapolis.
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and snowfall averaging around 18 inches annually.
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
Lawrence
#352Indiana, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
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