Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 25.6% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 67.1% | 14.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 28.5% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $245,993 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.7% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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