Albany NY vs Aurora CO — 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%
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Aurora
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Aurora
35.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Aurora
49.2%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Aurora
15.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Aurora
6.0%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 390,201 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 21.8% | Aurora + |
| White | 53.0% | 49.2% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 15.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 6.0% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 30.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Aurora
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Aurora
32.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $84,320 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $40,424 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.7% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 11.3% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 32.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Aurora
$464,881
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $464,881 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 63.3% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Aurora
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Aurora
3234
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Aurora
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Aurora
16.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Aurora
12.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 29.1% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.5% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.1% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.4% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.7% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Aurora
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Aurora
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Aurora
30.9 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 30.9 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, 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 512 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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