Albany NY vs Birmingham AL — 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%
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Birmingham
35.9
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 199,322 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 4.4% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 25.6% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.4% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 4.9% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Birmingham
$31,616
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Birmingham
30.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $44,376 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $31,616 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $51,690 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 25.2% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 30.7% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 45.1% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 400 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Birmingham
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Birmingham
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 42.2% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 19.2% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.6% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Birmingham
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 63.3°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 53.7 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Birmingham
23.2 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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