Fort Wayne IN vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 94,723 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.9 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 66.4% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 14.6% | 0.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $672,082 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1931 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.6 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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