Albany GA vs Atlanta GA — 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%
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Atlanta
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
White
Albany
18.9%
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Atlanta
46.9%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Atlanta
6.3%
Atlanta +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Atlanta
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 499,287 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.0 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 8.6% | Atlanta + |
| White | 18.9% | 39.9% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 76.3% | 46.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 5.0% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 6.3% | Atlanta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Atlanta
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $81,938 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $64,063 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 17.9% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 58.4% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Atlanta
$387,752
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $387,752 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 46.3% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Atlanta
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Atlanta
1752
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 392 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1752 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Atlanta
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 29.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.2% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.3% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 17.2% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.1% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Atlanta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Albany +
Atlanta
51.5 in
| Metric | Albany, GA | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 51.5 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Atlanta
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Atlanta
28.7 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Atlanta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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