Albany NY vs Anchorage AK — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Anchorage
34.9
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Anchorage
10.9%
White
Albany
53.0%
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Anchorage
5.3%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Anchorage
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 289,069 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 10.9% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 58.3% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 26.6% | 5.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 9.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 9.3% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Anchorage
$69,233
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Anchorage
37.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $98,152 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $49,338 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,233 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 9.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 37.7% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Anchorage
$414,014
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $414,014 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 63.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Anchorage
780
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Anchorage
1849
| Metric | Albany, NY | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 780 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1849 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Anchorage
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Anchorage
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Anchorage
18.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Anchorage
14.4%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.2% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.0% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.4% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.4% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 37.0°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 16.7 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Anchorage
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.4 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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