Albany GA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Albany
18.9%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 18.9% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 76.3% | 12.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $435,532 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 17.1% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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