Albany GA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Albany
18.9%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 18.9% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 76.3% | 37.5% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Rochester
$46,628
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Rochester
26.6%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $46,628 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 26.6% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Albany +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $241,627 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 37.2% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.3% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $46,628, 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 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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