Albany GA vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Detroit
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
White
Albany
18.9%
Albany +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Albany
76.3%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 5.9% | Detroit + |
| White | 18.9% | 11.7% | Albany + |
| Black | 76.3% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.6% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 8.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Albany +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Albany +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Albany +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Albany +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Albany +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $39,575 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $24,029 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 14.1% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 31.5% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 17.6% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Albany +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Detroit
19.2%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Albany +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Detroit
11.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Albany +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 45.6% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 19.2% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 22.6% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 21.8% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Albany +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $45,201, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 11.5%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 43.0%.
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