Fontana CA 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)
Fontana, CA
California · Population: 56,358
- Median HH Income$111,797
- Median Home Price$641,894
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
Fontana
56,358
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 9.0% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 1.2% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 5.8% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 10.5% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $60,293 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $32,884 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 15.6% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 28.5% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
62.2%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 62.2% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 40.7% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.8% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.7% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.8% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | 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.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, 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 503 in Fontana. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fontana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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