Fort Wayne IN vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Oklahoma City
35.0
Tie
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.0 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 66.4% | 58.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 13.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $57,929 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Oklahoma City
59.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 59.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 429 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2375 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 38.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.6 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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