Albany NY vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Albany
53.0%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Charleston
17.4%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 5.4% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 26.6% | 17.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.2% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 5.9% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $54,550 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $593,739 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Charleston
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 22.9% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 65.9°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 51.0 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.4 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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