Albany GA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Albany
18.9%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 18.9% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 76.3% | 7.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $411,323 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Albany, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 450 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2150 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Albany +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.3% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.3% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Albany +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 72.1°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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