Albany NY vs Chula Vista CA — 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%
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Chula Vista
8,933
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Chula Vista
42.9
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
White
Albany
53.0%
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 8,933 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 20.0% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 53.0% | 65.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 26.6% | 0.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 0.7% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 36.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Chula Vista
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Chula Vista
26.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $104,238 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $49,562 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 2.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 4.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 26.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Chula Vista
$849,245
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $849,245 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 71.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Chula Vista
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Chula Vista
2388
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Chula Vista
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Chula Vista
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 26.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.4% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.6% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 63.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 9.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Chula Vista
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Chula Vista
26.9 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.9 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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