Albany GA vs Boston MA — 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%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Albany
18.9%
Boston
47.8%
Boston +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Boston
21.5%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 18.9% | 47.8% | Boston + |
| Black | 76.3% | 21.5% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 18.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.0% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 16.9% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Albany +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $793,154 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 35.4% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.0% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 20.7% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 43.8 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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