Albany GA vs Fort Wayne IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Albany
18.9%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 18.9% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 76.3% | 14.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $245,993 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 40.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.7% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Albany +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.8 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, GA vs New York, NYAlbany, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, GA vs Chicago, ILAlbany, GA vs Houston, TXAlbany, GA vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, GA vs Philadelphia, PA