Fort Wayne IN vs Fresno CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 66.4% | 38.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 6.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $31,012 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 20.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 24.9% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
49.7%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $391,442 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 49.7% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.5% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.7% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.8% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 64.2°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Fresno
23.7 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.7 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 Fresno. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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