Albany NY vs Charlotte 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Charlotte
34.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Charlotte
41.5%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Charlotte
6.3%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 53.0% | 41.5% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 34.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 6.3% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 17.0% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Charlotte
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Charlotte
$399,070
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $399,070 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 51.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Charlotte
1999
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Charlotte
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Charlotte
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.1% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.4% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Charlotte
59.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Charlotte
41.6 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 59.9°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 41.6 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charlotte, 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 +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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