Albany GA vs Arvada CO — 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%
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Arvada
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Arvada
40.2
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Arvada
5.2%
Arvada +
White
Albany
18.9%
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Arvada
1.0%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Arvada
2.6%
Arvada +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Arvada
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 122,835 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 5.2% | Arvada + |
| White | 18.9% | 82.8% | Arvada + |
| Black | 76.3% | 1.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.6% | Arvada + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 15.4% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $113,396 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $56,655 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,653 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.9% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 6.0% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 50.0% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Arvada
$617,536
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $617,536 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 74.9% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Arvada
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Arvada
3234
| Metric | Albany, GA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 512 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3234 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Arvada
19.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 23.4% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.3% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 15.1% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.4% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 19.9% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.3% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Arvada
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Arvada
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Arvada, CO | 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
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Arvada
28.6 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, 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 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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