Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arden-Arcade, CA
VS
Fort Wayne, IN
🏆 Fort Wayne leads 12 of 23 categories
Arden-Arcade
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,479 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High
Population
96,076
Fort Wayne
Indiana
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,233
Violent Crime Index
81 ✓ Safer
Population
264,514 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arden-Arcade, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 33°F
Households earn $6,246 more per year on average
More college-educated — 36.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $466,300
Higher rents — median is $1,385/mo
Violent crime (518.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN
Pros
Homes cost $314k less ($152,500 vs $466,300)
Rent averages $481/mo less ($904 vs $1,385)
41% less violent crime than Arden-Arcade
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (5.8%)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Arden-Arcade
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Arden-Arcade by $6,246/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Arden-Arcade
Median Income
$6,246
$64,479 vs $58,233/yr
Arden-Arcade
Summer Heat
10.3°F warmer
July avg high 94.4°F vs 84.1°F
Fort Wayne
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 90.0 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Fort Wayne
Violent Crime
41% lower
307.5 vs 518.1 per 100k
Fort Wayne
Median Home Value
$314k less
$152,500 vs $466,300
Fort Wayne
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
5.8% vs 8.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arden-Arcade, CA | Fort Wayne, IN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High | 90.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $466,300⚠ High | $152,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,385⚠ High | $904 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,479 ✓ Higher | $58,233 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.9% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High | 81 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 106⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 13.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% ✓ Higher | 28.1% |
| High School or Higher | 88.9% ✓ Higher | 88.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Juan Unified | Fort Wayne Community Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 32.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.4°F ✓ Warmer | 84.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 21.5" ✓ Drier | 38.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 33.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 96,076 | 264,514 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 35.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.9% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% | 24.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.6% ✓ More | 14.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arden-Arcade's cost of living index is 108.9 vs Fort Wayne's 90.0 (US average = 100).
Fort Wayne is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fort Wayne leads 12 of 23 categories. Arden-Arcade wins 11 and Fort Wayne wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arden-Arcade to Fort Wayne or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($466,300 vs $152,500 median home), income ($64,479 vs $58,233), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arden-Arcade, CA and Fort Wayne, IN are about 1,916 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.