Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 78.9% | 66.4% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 10.5% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $60,293 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $32,884 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,697 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 28.5% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 370 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 40.7% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.8% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.6% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.8% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 22.8 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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