Albany GA vs Scottsdale 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Albany
18.9%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 49.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 18.9% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 76.3% | 2.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $858,307 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Albany, GA | Scottsdale, 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%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.4% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Albany +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 72.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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