Fort Wayne IN vs Montgomery 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 198,440 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.2 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 66.4% | 27.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 4.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $55,687 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $32,068 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $51,690 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 20.9% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 54.3% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Montgomery, 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%
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 46.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | 64.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 52.8 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Montgomery 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%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Wayne, IN vs New York, NYFort Wayne, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Wayne, INFort Wayne, IN vs Houston, TXFort Wayne, IN vs Phoenix, AZFort Wayne, IN vs Philadelphia, PA