Fort Wayne IN vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
58.7%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 3.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 58.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $47,532 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $27,407 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,300 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 24.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 21.0% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 52.7% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1866 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.9% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 50.6°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Wayne +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Fort Wayne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fort Wayne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Wayne, IN vs New York, NYFort Wayne, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Wayne, INFort Wayne, IN vs Houston, TXFort Wayne, IN vs Phoenix, AZFort Wayne, IN vs Philadelphia, PA