Fort Wayne IN vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 138,723 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.9 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 66.4% | 53.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 1.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $671,948 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 58.1% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Ontario, 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%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 65.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 28.2 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Wayne, IN vs New York, NYFort Wayne, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Wayne, INFort Wayne, IN vs Houston, TXFort Wayne, IN vs Phoenix, AZFort Wayne, IN vs Philadelphia, PA