Fort Wayne IN vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 142,878 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 66.4% | 63.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 2.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $505,085 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 512 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3234 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.2% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 32.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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