Albuquerque NM 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)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
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
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 266,235 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 9.0% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 3.3% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 10.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $60,293 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $32,884 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 28.5% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 40.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.4% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.8% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 38.3 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, 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 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
Albuquerque, NM vs New York, NYAlbuquerque, NM vs Los Angeles, CAAlbuquerque, NM vs Chicago, ILAlbuquerque, NM vs Houston, TXAlbuquerque, NM vs Phoenix, AZAlbuquerque, NM vs Philadelphia, PA