Albany GA vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Albany
18.9%
Elizabeth
24.8%
Elizabeth +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.8 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 18.9% | 24.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Black | 76.3% | 17.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Albany +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $28,490 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 14.2% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Albany +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $531,592 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 25.4% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Albany +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Elizabeth
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 28.1% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.9% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 15.0% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 29.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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