Fort Wayne IN vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 66.4% | 28.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $664,939 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 28.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 40.3 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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