Fort Wayne IN vs Lancaster 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 170,013 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 66.4% | 35.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $29,766 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 20.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $466,147 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 58.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lancaster, 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%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 62.1°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 33.0 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 Lancaster. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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