Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.0 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 51.3% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 38.0% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $245,993 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 40.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.7% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Wayne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.8 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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