Albany GA vs Albany NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Albany
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
White
Albany
18.9%
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Albany
26.6%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Albany
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 100,081 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 15.0% | Albany + |
| White | 18.9% | 53.0% | Albany + |
| Black | 76.3% | 26.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 7.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 10.7% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Albany
8.3%
Albany +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $59,485 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $35,851 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.3% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 23.4% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 44.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Albany
$324,670
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Albany +
Albany
37.9%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $324,670 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 37.9% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Albany
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany
1736
Albany +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Albany
18.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 32.9% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.9% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.6% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 7.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.0% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.3% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 48.3°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 39.4 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, 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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