Fort Wayne IN vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 66.4% | 50.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 5.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $1,006,261 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 47.6% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 61.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 25.9 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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