Aurora CO vs Fort Wayne IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 266,235 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 9.0% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 15.8% | 14.6% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.8% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 10.5% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $60,293 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $32,884 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,697 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 15.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 28.5% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
62.2%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 62.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 40.7% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.8% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.8% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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