Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 266,235 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 49.4% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 38.7% | 14.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $32,884 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 28.5% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 40.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Wayne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fort Wayne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fort Wayne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA