Memphis, Tennessee, located on the Mississippi River, and Fort Wayne, Indiana, on the confluence of three rivers, are two U.S. cities with unique characteristics. With Memphis' rich legacy in music and culture and Fort Wayne's vibrant economy and family-friendliness, the cities offer contrasting experiences for residents and visitors. This article will take a deep dive into comparing these two cities' crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, and more crucial factors to consider when relocating or visiting.
Distance between
Memphis, TN and
Fort Wayne, IN : 488.7 miles
Memphis's population is larger by 136%. Its population has decreased by 21,973 people (3.4%) since 2000. The population of Fort Wayne has grown by 60,247 people (29.3%) during that time.
Memphis has a relatively high crime rate compared to national averages, with property crimes, in particular, being above average. Still, tourist areas like Downtown, Beale Street and Overton Square are monitored closely, making them safer for visitors. On the other hand, Fort Wayne maintains a relatively low crime rate with a safe and secure environment for both residents and tourists. Yet, as with any city, crime occurrence varies between neighborhoods.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 2,628 registered sex offenders living in Memphis and 18 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Memphis is 248 to 1; the ratio in Fort Wayne is 14,519 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is much larger in Memphis than that in Fort Wayne.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Memphis is relatively low compared to the national average, with housing being the most significant contributing factor to this. This makes Memphis an attractive option for individuals or families considering relocation. Fort Wayne also boasts an affordable cost of living, significantly lower than both state and national averages.
Income Tax
Tennessee does not have a state income tax, making Memphis attractive for higher-income individuals. In contrast, Indiana has a flat state income tax rate of 3.23% and Fort Wayne also imposes a local income tax.
Property Tax
Both cities have property taxes with Memphis' rate slightly higher than Fort Wayne's. Both cities use the revenue for public services such as education, infrastructure, and public safety.
Sales Tax
In Memphis the sales tax rate is relatively high, at 9.25%. In Fort Wayne, the sales tax rate is more modest at 7%.
Income
Type
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Estimated median household income
$44,317
$54,737
Estimated per capita income
$28,571
$29,282
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
85.5
82.8
If you make $50,000 in Fort Wayne, you will have to make $51,630 in Memphis to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Memphis is located on the Mississippi River, providing beautiful river views and numerous parks and recreation areas. Fort Wayne is located on a confluence of three rivers, and has an extensive park system, making outdoor activities a popular pursuit.
Memphis is home to several colleges and universities, including University of Memphis and Rhodes College. The city's public school system is administered by Shelby County Schools. Fort Wayne, on the other hand, hosts Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and is served by Fort Wayne Community Schools. Both cities offer a range of options for primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
Memphis' economy is centered around several industries, including transportation, healthcare, and services. As an economic hub, it offers diverse employment opportunities. In contrast, Fort Wayne's economy is largely driven by manufacturing, education, healthcare, and retail. It has been recognized for its business-friendly environment and robust economic growth.
Biggest Employers
The biggest employers in Memphis include FedEx, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, and Shelby County Government. The top employers in Fort Wayne include Parkview Health System, Lutheran Health Network, and General Motors.
In Memphis (Shelby County), 62.9% voted for Democrats and 36.7% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Fort Wayne (Allen County), 40.9% voted for Democrats and 57.6% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Memphis
Fort Wayne
2020
64.8%
43.3%
34.2%
54.5%
1.1%
2.2%
2016
62.3%
37.3%
34.7%
56.6%
3.1%
6.1%
2012
62.9%
40.9%
36.7%
57.6%
0.4%
1.5%
2008
63.8%
47.5%
36.2%
51.8%
0.0%
0.7%
2004
57.7%
36.1%
42.0%
63.4%
0.3%
0.6%
2000
56.8%
36.4%
42.3%
61.6%
0.9%
2.0%
1996
78.9%
37.8%
19.6%
54.1%
1.5%
8.0%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Memphis
Fort Wayne
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
14.8%
1.2%
15.1%
3.8%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
6.5%
16.0%
2.7%
5.6%
EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1.5%
0.0%
0.7%
0.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.2%
1.8%
0.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.5%
0.3%
0.8%
0.5%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
6.8%
1.0%
8.9%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.0%
0.6%
0.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.2%
0.9%
0.8%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.3%
1.1%
0.6%
2.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
2.3%
0.4%
3.5%
Weather
The weather in Memphis is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to chilly winters. It's ideal for those preferring a warmer climate but can be uncomfortably hot during peak summer. Conversely, Fort Wayne experiences a true four-season climate, with warm summers, chilly winters where snowfall is commonplace, and mild springs and falls.
Weather and climate
Type
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Temperature - Average
61.9°F
49.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74%
77.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
33%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
87%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
54%
Precipitation - Yearly average
54.3 in
36.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
8.6 in
64.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.7%
13.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
68.7%
65.2%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
40%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
76%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
36%
Wind speed - Average
8.8 mph
9.9 mph
Average climate in Memphis, Tennessee
Average climate in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Memphis
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Memphis
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Memphis
2018
81
74
0.24
N/A
10.4
N/A
27.1
27.2
19.0
N/A
8.1
8.8
0.4
N/A
2017
74
68
0.24
N/A
10.2
N/A
28.1
28.3
17.5
N/A
7.9
8.2
0.3
N/A
2016
76
78
0.24
N/A
10.2
N/A
28.8
N/A
19.6
N/A
8.5
8.8
0.9
N/A
2015
77
85
0.26
N/A
11.1
N/A
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.2
10.8
1.0
N/A
2014
75
93
0.27
N/A
10.1
N/A
26.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.9
13.1
1.3
N/A
2013
74
74
0.31
0.45
8.3
N/A
26.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.2
9.9
1.0
N/A
2012
94
91
0.32
0.64
9.3
N/A
29.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.7
13.9
0.6
N/A
2011
93
87
0.34
0.37
10.0
N/A
29.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.1
12.2
0.5
N/A
2010
95
98
0.43
0.34
10.3
N/A
27.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.9
15.8
N/A
N/A
2009
86
96
0.35
0.62
8.7
N/A
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.8
16.5
N/A
N/A
2008
94
96
0.36
0.79
10.3
N/A
26.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.2
15.7
N/A
N/A
2007
106
103
0.47
0.47
11.2
N/A
26.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.8
13.4
5.6
N/A
2006
108
81
0.43
0.61
13.0
N/A
26.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.7
11.8
6.3
N/A
2005
110
107
0.46
0.67
10.1
N/A
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.9
14.4
4.9
N/A
2004
98
75
0.51
0.85
N/A
N/A
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.5
N/A
5.9
N/A
2003
110
101
0.57
0.70
20.1
N/A
25.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.0
12.2
5.8
N/A
2002
110
101
0.58
0.71
20.4
N/A
25.1
N/A
15.6
N/A
N/A
13.2
4.5
N/A
2001
111
65
0.66
0.65
24.7
N/A
26.0
N/A
22.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.1
N/A
2000
103
73
0.63
0.83
25.2
N/A
26.2
N/A
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.4
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
198.6%
174.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
474%
101.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
14%
Transportation
Memphis boasts an extensive public transportation system with busses and trolleys, though private vehicles are the most common mode of transport. Fort Wayne, with its less extensive public transit, is predominantly a car-focused city with a good road network. Both cities have international airports.
Transport
Type
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
1
209
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
52
1
Means of transportation to work
Type
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Bicycle
0%
0.4%
Bus
0.4%
0.4%
Carpooled
7.5%
7.4%
Car alone
88.8%
89.6%
Walked
1.2%
1.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Average
27 min
23.9 min
Other means
22.5 min
20.5 min
Public transportation
43.5 min
38.1 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
89.9%
91.1%
In 2 person carpool
7.9%
7.4%
In 3 person carpool
1.6%
0.4%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.3%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.2%
0.6%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Memphis is affordable with a median home price well below national average, attracting investors and homebuyers. The rental market is also strong due to the city's large renter population. In contrast, Fort Wayne offers a very competitive housing market with affordable homes and rental properties.
Neighborhoods
Memphis neighborhoods offer a range of experiences, with Downtown attracting tourists for its rich cultural scene and East Memphis is known for upscale living. In Fort Wayne, the Downtown District is booming with commercial and residential development, while North and South-west parts of the city are popular for families due to quality schools and amenities.
Houses and residents
Type
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Houses
288,491
117,245
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.4
Median year apartment built
1972
1976
Median year house/condo built
1967
1972
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16.2 years
12.2 years
Houses occupied
256,968 (89.1%)
109,640 (93.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
119,622 (46.6%)
68,004 (62%)
Houses occupied by renters
137,346 (53.4%)
41,636 (38%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$760.83
$729.05
Median monthly housing costs
$967
$844
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$201,932
$135,711
Estimated median house or condo value
$142,800
$155,600
Median numbers of rooms
5.5
5.9
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.8
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.6
6.8
Median house price - detached houses
$205,904
$167,457
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$66,481
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$145,165
$136,033
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$201,411
$154,215
Median house price - mobile homes
$93,577
$54,382
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$170,154
$138,742
Median house price - All housing units
$204,886
$164,476
Median house age
52
48
Renting percentage
48.1%
36.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,032.8
1,485
House value disparities
44.1%
31.9%
Household income disparities
48.2%
42.5%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$72,611
$72,350
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$53,615
$59,128
Housing units without a mortgage
1,461 (2%)
811 (1.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,970 (5.4%)
3,282 (7.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
71,386 (98%)
43,922 (98.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
322 (0.4%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,907 (8.1%)
3,996 (8.9%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
16
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
5.7%
1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
4.6%
0.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Memphis
Fort Wayne
One, detached
61.0%
69.2%
One, attached
5.8%
2.6%
Two
2.1%
2.4%
3 or 4
7.4%
5.3%
5 to 9
9.1%
6.3%
10 to 19
5.6%
5.6%
20 to 49
1.8%
2.8%
50 or more
6.2%
3.7%
Mobile homes
0.8%
2.1%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,111
6,040
State government workers
7,650
2,352
Unpaid family workers
668
430
Industries and Occupations
In Memphis the predominant industries are trade and transportation, education, health services, and leisure and hospitality. The largest employers are FedEx, the government, and several healthcare providers. Fort Wayne, dominated by manufacturing, also supports a robust healthcare sector with occupations spread between production, office and administrative support, sales and healthcare.
Healthcare in Memphis is driven by multiple hospital systems, with Baptist Memorial Healthcare, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, and St. Jude Children's hospital providing robust services. Fort Wayne has two dominant healthcare systems, Lutheran Health Network and Parkview Health.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Memphis
Fort Wayne
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Memphis city boasts a robust infrastructure with good road systems and public transportation. However, some areas face issues with old and deteriorating infrastructure. Fort Wayne, meanwhile, has been investing significantly in infrastructure improvement projects, promoting urban living and making the city more appealing for both residents and tourists.
Infrastructure
Type
Memphis
Fort Wayne
Hospitals
35
21
TV stations
14
11
Arenas or stadiums
2
1
Bank branches located here
160
93
Bank institutions located here
33
20
Main business address for public companies
17
3
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
0
1
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Memphis
Fort Wayne
1999
2,195
1,000
2000
2,406
865
2001
1,775
592
2002
1,444
355
2003
2,116
476
2004
3,266
748
2005
4,730
940
2006
5,833
1,055
2007
3,559
614
2008
1,174
234
2009
345
113
Culture and Food
Memphis boasts a rich cultural heritage, known well as the birthplace of blues music and a hub for BBQ cuisine. It has numerous cultural festivals, museums, and historic landmarks. Fort Wayne, while smaller, still offers a vibrant arts scene, a variety of restaurants representing global cuisines, and several annual festivals.
Sports Teams
Memphis is home to the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies and minor league baseball's Memphis Redbirds. Fort Wayne hosts no major league sports teams, but residents take great pride in their Minor League teams like the Fort Wayne TinCaps baseball team and Komets hockey team.
Memphis, TN
Fort Wayne, IN
Memphis, TN and 
Fort Wayne, IN : 488.7 miles
