Albany GA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Albany
18.9%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 18.9% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 76.3% | 18.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $427,121 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.6% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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