Albany GA vs St. Louis MO — 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%

St. Louis, MO

Missouri · Population: 293,109

  • Median HH Income$55,279
  • Median Home Price$185,100
  • Unemployment5.1%
  • Bachelor's+40.2%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Albany
67,939
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Albany
18.9%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
St. Louis
43.1%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
St. Louis
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
St. Louis
$185,100
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
St. Louis
2418

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
St. Louis
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
St. Louis
24.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, 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 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Albany & St. Louis