Albany GA vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
White
Albany
18.9%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 7.2% | Boise + |
| White | 18.9% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 76.3% | 1.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.4% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 9.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Albany +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,074 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $504,894 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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