Albany NY vs Baltimore MD — 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%
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Baltimore
36.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Baltimore
8.8%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Baltimore
27.4%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Baltimore
2.5%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Baltimore
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 577,193 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 8.8% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 27.4% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 60.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.5% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 7.9% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Baltimore
$70,886
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Baltimore
35.4%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $59,623 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $39,195 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $70,886 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.6% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 20.1% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 35.4% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $191,668 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 47.5% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 433 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1724 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Baltimore
38.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Baltimore
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Baltimore
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Baltimore
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Baltimore
16.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 38.1% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.4% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.0% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.1% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Baltimore
55.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Baltimore
41.9 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 55.1°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 41.9 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Baltimore
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Baltimore
31.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 31.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore 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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