Albany GA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Albany
18.9%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 18.9% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 76.3% | 39.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $233,814 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 34.5 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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