2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Fort Wayne, IN vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
Are people in West Des Moines older or younger than people in Fort Wayne?
- The Median Age in West Des Moines is 1.0 years older than in Fort Wayne.

Are housing costs cheaper in West Des Moines or Fort Wayne?
- West Des Moines housing costs are 43.4% more expensive than Fort Wayne housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, West Des Moines or Fort Wayne?
- The average commute for residents of West Des Moines is 3.7 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Fort Wayne.

Things to do in Fort Wayne?
Fort Wayne, Indiana is a charming city with plenty of entertainment options for its residents. Visit the famous Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory or take a break in one of the great parks such as Foster Park or Franke Park. Spend an evening at the Embassy Theatre or check out some classic films at Cinema Center. Head to downtown for shopping and dining - there are plenty of local gems like Debrand Fine Chocolates, Pembroke Bakery or The Dash-In Restaurant. With its great schools and laid back atmosphere, it's easy to see why people love to call Fort Wayne home!

Things to do in West Des Moines?
West Des Moines, Iowa is a vibrant city located in the greater Des Moines area. This lively town offers an array of exciting attractions for visitors to explore such as the beautiful Living History Farms or the thrilling Adventureland Amusement Park. Residents here also enjoy plenty of outdoor activities at Raccoon River or Water Works Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and wide range of recreational activities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make West Des Moines their home.

 Fort Wayne, INWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock67,640329,725,481
 Median Income$53,978  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock36.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$196,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time20.86  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Fort Wayne    43 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

Fort Wayne is what America used to be. Hardworking, unpretentious, welcoming. There are problems, like anywhere, including crime on the east side, but nothing like  More

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Over 6 years ago

Moved here from Buffalo, NY. Ft Wayne is a big city with lots of greenery and things to do. It is not congested and cost of living is cheap. One complain-drivers with  More

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I lived in Fort Wayne from 1962 until 1988 then moved north. Fort Wayne was a nice city at one time. It's sad to say, but today, it's become to highly populated with  More

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Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Over 16 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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