Fort Wayne IN vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.6 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 66.4% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 14.6% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $538,687 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 52.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3001 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 51.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 78.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 26.5 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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