Albany NY vs Buffalo NY — 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%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Buffalo
34.3
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 10.5% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 45.4% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Buffalo
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $48,050 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $30,995 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.2% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 27.4% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 30.3% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 42.7% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Buffalo
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Buffalo
1736
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 38.4% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.4% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.1% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.5% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 48.3°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 40.5 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Buffalo
21.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Buffalo 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