Albany NY vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Albany
53.0%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 39.8 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 53.0% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 26.6% | 7.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 9.3% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $629,864 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Albany, NY | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 59.4°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 46.3 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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