Fort Wayne IN vs Fullerton 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%
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Fullerton
141,278
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Fullerton
36.1
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Fullerton
43.0%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Fullerton
2.1%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 141,278 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.1 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 28.9% | Fullerton + |
| White | 66.4% | 43.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 2.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 24.5% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 39.6% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Fullerton
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $104,219 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $48,061 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.2% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 43.6% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Fullerton
51.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $1,047,700 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 51.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Fullerton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Fullerton
2388
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fullerton, 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%
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 23.9% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.9% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.8% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.2% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.0% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 9.2% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Fullerton
65.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 65.1°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 13.9 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Fullerton
32.5 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 32.5 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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