Albany GA vs Jersey City 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Albany
18.9%
Jersey City
28.7%
Jersey City +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 18.9% | 28.7% | Jersey City + |
| Black | 76.3% | 21.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Albany +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $664,939 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 28.8% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.3% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jersey City, 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
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 40.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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