Albany GA vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Albany
18.9%
Memphis
25.0%
Memphis +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Memphis
62.9%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 18.9% | 25.0% | Memphis + |
| Black | 76.3% | 62.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.7% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $51,211 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.3% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Memphis
$147,306
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $147,306 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 46.0% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Albany, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Memphis
17.6%
Memphis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Albany +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Memphis
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Albany +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 17.6% | Memphis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 20.7% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.5% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 19.9% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Albany +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Albany, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 54.9 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.9 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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