Fort Wayne IN vs Mobile AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 185,097 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.7 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 3.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 39.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 3.1% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $51,090 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $51,690 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 18.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 51.4% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 400 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1734 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 17.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 67.4°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 65.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.5 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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