Albany GA vs Asheville NC — 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%
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Asheville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Asheville
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Asheville
N/A
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Asheville
N/A
White
Albany
18.9%
Asheville
N/A
Black
Albany
76.3%
Asheville
N/A
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Asheville
N/A
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Asheville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 18.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 76.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 0.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Asheville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Asheville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Asheville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Asheville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Asheville
$461,425
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $461,425 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Asheville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Asheville
1999
| Metric | Albany, GA | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Asheville
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 31.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.4% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 15.9% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.2% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.7% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.1% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 55.9°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 45.6 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 398 in Asheville. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, GA vs New York, NYAlbany, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, GA vs Chicago, ILAlbany, GA vs Houston, TXAlbany, GA vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, GA vs Philadelphia, PA