Fort Wayne IN vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 44,998 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 57.8 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 66.4% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 14.6% | 5.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $503,393 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 63.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.1 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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