Albany GA vs Alexandria VA — 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%
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Alexandria
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Alexandria
37.5
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
White
Albany
18.9%
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Alexandria
21.1%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Alexandria
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 156,788 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 24.6% | Alexandria + |
| White | 18.9% | 53.6% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 76.3% | 21.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 6.3% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 18.2% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $113,638 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $77,935 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.4% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 8.4% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 65.8% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Alexandria
$679,447
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Alexandria
42.0%
Alexandria +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $679,447 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 42.0% | Alexandria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Alexandria
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 31.7% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 15.0% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.6% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.5% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 9.1% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Alexandria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Alexandria
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Alexandria
75.0%
Alexandria +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Alexandria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Alexandria
31.8 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 31.8 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Alexandria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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