Albany NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
100,081
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Albany
53.0%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.0 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 9.0% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 26.6% | 14.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 5.8% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.5% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $32,884 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,697 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 28.5% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 40.7% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.8% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.6% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.8% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 50.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.8 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, 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 434 in Albany. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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