Albany NY vs Austin TX — 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%
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Austin
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Austin
34.5
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
White
Albany
53.0%
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Austin
7.5%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Austin
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 967,862 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 18.1% | Austin + |
| White | 53.0% | 59.9% | Austin + |
| Black | 26.6% | 7.5% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 32.2% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Austin
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $91,461 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $59,427 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.5% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 12.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 58.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Austin
$511,264
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $511,264 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 44.4% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Austin
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Austin
2339
| Metric | Albany, NY | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Austin
15.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Austin
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.1% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.9% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 15.1% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.0% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Austin
67.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 67.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 34.9 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Austin
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Austin
25.8 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.8 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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