Albany GA vs Utica 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Albany +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Albany
18.9%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 51,054 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 18.9% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 76.3% | 16.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Utica
9.4%
Utica +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Utica
23.8%
Utica +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 9.4% | Utica + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 23.8% | Utica + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Albany +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $205,924 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 36.8% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Utica
18.7%
Utica +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.2% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 18.7% | Utica + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, 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 Utica. Utica has a lower unemployment rate at 9.4%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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