Albany NY vs Athens GA — 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%
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Athens
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Athens
9.8%
White
Albany
53.0%
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Athens
26.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Athens
4.3%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 126,987 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 29.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 9.8% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 57.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.6% | 26.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.3% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 11.5% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Athens
$51,655
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Athens
$31,836
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Athens
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Athens
26.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $51,655 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $31,836 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,405 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.2% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 26.3% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 48.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Athens
$341,821
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $341,821 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 40.5% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Athens
392
Athens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Athens
1752
| Metric | Albany, NY | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 392 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1752 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Athens
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Athens
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Athens
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Athens
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Athens
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Athens
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Athens
46.3 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 62.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 46.3 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Athens
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Athens
22.3 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Albany, NY vs New York, NYAlbany, NY vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, NY vs Chicago, ILAlbany, NY vs Houston, TXAlbany, NY vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, NY vs Philadelphia, PA