Albany GA vs Bloomington MN — 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%

Bloomington, MN

Minnesota · Population: 71,261

  • Median HH Income$103,382
  • Median Home Price$366,438
  • Unemployment4.5%
  • Bachelor's+36.1%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Albany
67,939
Bloomington
71,261
Bloomington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Bloomington
37.3
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
White
Albany
18.9%
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Bloomington
8.6%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Bloomington
5.1%
Bloomington +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Bloomington
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Bloomington
$366,438
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Bloomington
1992

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Bloomington
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Bloomington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Bloomington
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Bloomington
75.0%
Bloomington +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Bloomington
27.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Albany & Bloomington