City comparison
Yes. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 104 in Fort Wayne, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 84, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fort Wayne is cheaper. Median rent is $999 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Gilbert and Fort Wayne is significant: $122,551 median household versus $61,422. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,110 in Gilbert and $999 in Fort Wayne.
Gilbert is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Fort Wayne makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Gilbert is the stronger move.
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
Gilbert and Fort Wayne are 1,554 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $999 a month in Fort Wayne, down $1,111 a month (53%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $61,422 in Fort Wayne, down $61,129 (50%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 104 in Fort Wayne, up 57 points (121%).
The move
Fort Wayne and Gilbert are 1,554 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $999 a month in Fort Wayne to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $1,111 a month (111%).
Median household income goes from $61,422 in Fort Wayne to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $61,129 (100%).
The crime index goes from 104 in Fort Wayne to 47 in Gilbert, down 57 points (55%).
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Fort Wayne, IN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Gilbert and Fort Wayne? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
53% cheaper
Fort Wayne rent is 53% cheaper than Gilbert
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Fort Wayne
Winner$999/mo
Typical rent runs $999 a month in Fort Wayne versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Fort Wayne is 53% cheaper. That's roughly $1,111/month back in your pocket ($13,332/year). Over five years that's $66,660 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 Gilbert, 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 Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
100% higher
Gilbert's median income is 100% higher than Fort Wayne
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Fort Wayne
$61,422
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $61,422 in Fort Wayne, so typical pay runs 100% higher in Gilbert (about $61,129 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Gilbert is the stronger labor market on paper. Fort Wayne can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
55% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 55% lower than Fort Wayne
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Fort Wayne
104 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 104 in Fort Wayne (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 55% lower in Gilbert. 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, Gilbert is the easier city. Fort Wayne can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
64% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 64% more comfortable than Fort Wayne
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fort Wayne
51°F avg · 59°F highs · comfort 61/100
Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs); Fort Wayne averages about 51°F (59°F highs). Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Fort Wayne averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Gilbert scores 64% 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
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 100% higher ($122,551), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 80°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Gilbert is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 55% lower than Fort Wayne (47 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 53% 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.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Fort Wayne at $999/month versus $2,110 in Gilbert ($1,111 apart). Gilbert median income is $122,551 against $61,422 in Fort Wayne, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Fort Wayne rent at $999/month is still below Gilbert's $2,110, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $61,422 in Fort Wayne.
Fort Wayne clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Gilbert deserves a serious look only when your $122,551 income offer in Gilbert outweighs saving $1,111/month in Fort Wayne.
Common questions
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