Fort Wayne IN vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 86,973 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 66.4% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 14.6% | 1.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 25.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $509,396 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 60.9% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1931 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 52.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.5 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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