Albany GA vs Cleveland OH — 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Cleveland
36.3
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
White
Albany
18.9%
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Cleveland
46.8%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 6.1% | Cleveland + |
| White | 18.9% | 36.7% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 76.3% | 46.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.3% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Albany +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Cleveland
$27,078
Cleveland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Cleveland
11.5%
Cleveland +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Albany +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Albany +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $39,187 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $27,078 | Cleveland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,300 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 11.5% | Cleveland + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 30.8% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 21.3% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Cleveland
41.2%
Cleveland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 41.2% | Cleveland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Cleveland
1866
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1866 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Cleveland
42.2%
Cleveland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Cleveland
17.7%
Cleveland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Cleveland
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Albany +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 42.2% | Cleveland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 17.7% | Cleveland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.6% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.4% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.2% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 21.5% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 52.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Albany +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Cleveland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Cleveland
24.3 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $45,201, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Cleveland has a lower unemployment rate at 11.5%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cleveland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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