City comparison
Yes. Fort Wayne's crime index is 104 versus 169 in Richmond, and its violent crime index is 84 versus 122, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fort Wayne is cheaper. Median rent is $999 a month versus $1,372 in Richmond.
Safety is where Fort Wayne and Richmond split most clearly. Fort Wayne scores 65 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $999 in Fort Wayne and $1,372 in Richmond.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Fort Wayne costs less and Richmond pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Fort Wayne at $999 average has pockets that run $799 and others at $1,399: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Fort Wayne and Richmond are 478 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $999 a month in Fort Wayne to $1,372 a month in Richmond, up $373 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $61,422 in Fort Wayne to $64,587 in Richmond, up $3,165 (5%).
The crime index goes from 104 in Fort Wayne to 169 in Richmond, up 65 points (63%).
The move
Richmond and Fort Wayne are 478 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $999 a month in Fort Wayne, down $373 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $61,422 in Fort Wayne, down $3,165 (5%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 104 in Fort Wayne, down 65 points (38%).
Fort Wayne, IN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fort Wayne and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Fort Wayne rent is 27% cheaper than Richmond
Fort Wayne
Winner$999/mo
Richmond
$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $999 a month in Fort Wayne versus $1,372 in Richmond, so Fort Wayne is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $373/month back in your pocket ($4,476/year). Over five years that's $22,380 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Richmond, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Fort Wayne is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Fort Wayne? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
Richmond's median income is 5% higher than Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne
$61,422
Richmond
Winner$64,587
Median household income is $64,587 in Richmond versus $61,422 in Fort Wayne, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Richmond (about $3,165 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
38% lower crime
Fort Wayne's crime index is 38% lower than Richmond
Fort Wayne
Winner104 (100 = avg)
Richmond
169 (100 = avg)
Fort Wayne's crime index is 104 versus 169 in Richmond (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 38% lower in Fort Wayne. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Fort Wayne is the easier city. Richmond can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
Richmond weather is 28% more comfortable than Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne
51°F avg · 59°F highs · comfort 61/100
Richmond
Winner57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Fort Wayne averages about 51°F (59°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Fort Wayne averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Richmond scores 28% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Fort Wayne if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Fort Wayne is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% cheaper here at about $999 a month. Choose Fort Wayne if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fort Wayne is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 38% lower than Richmond (104 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 5% higher ($64,587), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 57°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Fort Wayne scores 59/100 versus 44/100 in Richmond. Rent is $999/month in Fort Wayne and $1,372/month in Richmond, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Richmond still pays more locally ($64,587 median income vs $61,422), which can offset the lease if your field pays Richmond rates.
Weather averages land near 51°F in Fort Wayne and 57°F in Richmond.
Between Fort Wayne and Richmond, Fort Wayne is ahead on safety — 59/100 safety versus 44/100. Lean Richmond instead when you already know the Richmond block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
Ready to move to Fort Wayne?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Fort Wayne when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Fort Wayne and Richmond, plus other cities in IN and VA.
