Albany GA vs Buffalo NY — 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%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
White
Albany
18.9%
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Buffalo
32.9%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 18.9% | 45.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 76.3% | 32.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Buffalo
$48,050
Buffalo +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Buffalo
27.4%
Buffalo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $48,050 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $30,995 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.2% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 27.4% | Buffalo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 30.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Buffalo
$241,380
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $241,380 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 42.7% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Buffalo
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 38.4% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.1% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.3% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 16.5% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 40.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Buffalo leads in median household income at $48,050, while 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 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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