Fort Wayne IN vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 203,888 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 66.4% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 14.6% | 2.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $580,126 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 46.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1931 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 52.8°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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