Fort Wayne IN vs Pomona 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%
Pomona, CA
California · Population: 148,391
- Median HH Income$78,869
- Median Home Price$689,570
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+19.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 148,391 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.4 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 66.4% | 22.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 5.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $28,131 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 19.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
54.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $689,570 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 54.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pomona, 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%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.0% | Pomona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 65.0°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 34.5 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, 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 Pomona. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Pomona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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