Fort Wayne IN vs Rancho Cucamonga 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 174,693 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.9 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 66.4% | 44.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 8.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $45,626 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 37.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $791,317 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, 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%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 34.6 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 Rancho Cucamonga. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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