Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 266,235 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 9.0% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 29.0% | 14.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $60,293 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $32,884 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 28.5% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 40.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.6% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.8% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Wayne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Fort Wayne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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