Fort Wayne IN vs Oxnard 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%
Oxnard, CA
California · Population: 201,014
- Median HH Income$93,372
- Median Home Price$765,773
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
201,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
36.9%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 201,014 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.0 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 33.8% | Oxnard + |
| White | 66.4% | 36.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 1.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 77.0% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
$30,413
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Oxnard
$77,230
Oxnard +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
19.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $93,372 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $30,413 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Oxnard + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 10.8% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 19.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
$765,773
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
53.9%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $765,773 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 53.9% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
2388
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oxnard, 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%
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Oxnard
12.8%
Oxnard +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Oxnard
17.9%
Oxnard +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
19.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Oxnard
15.6%
Oxnard +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Oxnard
12.0%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 28.4% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.8% | Oxnard + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.9% | Oxnard + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 19.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Oxnard + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.0% | Oxnard + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 61.2°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 15.3 in | Oxnard + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Oxnard +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oxnard + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oxnard + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Oxnard
27.1 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 27.1 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, 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 Oxnard. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Oxnard has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oxnard scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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