Albany NY vs Boulder 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Boulder
10.2%
White
Albany
53.0%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Boulder
5.8%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 106,274 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 10.2% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 26.6% | 1.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 5.8% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 11.2% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Boulder
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Boulder
21.8%
Boulder +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.1% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 21.8% | Boulder + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $970,905 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 47.9% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Albany, NY | Boulder, 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%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Boulder
8.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.9% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.6% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 20.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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