Fort Wayne IN vs Simi Valley 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%
Simi Valley, CA
California · Population: 125,769
- Median HH Income$117,703
- Median Home Price$839,862
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+37.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 125,769 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 41.8 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 66.4% | 63.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 1.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $839,862 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Simi Valley, 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%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Simi Valley, 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
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Simi Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 31.0 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, 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 Simi Valley. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Simi Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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