Albany NY vs Clearwater FL — 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%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Albany
53.0%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Clearwater
10.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Clearwater
3.6%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 117,075 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 46.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 53.0% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 26.6% | 10.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.6% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Clearwater
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $64,440 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 32.5% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Clearwater
$341,503
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $341,503 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Clearwater
33.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Clearwater
14.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.3% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.5% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.0% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 73.8°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 54.7 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Clearwater
25.3 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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