Albany GA vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Albany
18.9%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 138,723 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 18.9% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 76.3% | 1.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $671,948 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Albany, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Albany +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.0% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.7% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Ontario
65.5°F
Ontario +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 65.5°F | Ontario + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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