Albany NY vs Chandler AZ — 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%
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Chandler
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Chandler
37.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
White
Albany
53.0%
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Chandler
5.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 278,123 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 15.4% | Chandler + |
| White | 53.0% | 62.6% | Chandler + |
| Black | 26.6% | 5.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 11.4% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 21.4% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Chandler
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $103,691 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $51,746 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.6% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 7.7% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 46.8% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Chandler
$524,013
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $524,013 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 65.6% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Chandler
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Chandler
2150
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 450 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2150 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Chandler
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.2% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.1% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.1% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.4% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Chandler
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Chandler
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Chandler
26.1 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, 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 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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