Albany GA vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Albany
18.9%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 18.9% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 76.3% | 30.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $286,396 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.2% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Albany +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 70.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 50.0 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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