Fort Wayne IN vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Utica
64.8%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Utica
4.3%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 51,054 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 66.4% | 64.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 9.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $57,688 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 9.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 23.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 36.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Utica
1736
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 434 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1736 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.7% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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