Fort Wayne IN vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 66.4% | 36.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 12.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $480,548 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 51.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 61.0°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 27.0 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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