Albany NY vs Colorado Springs CO — 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Colorado Springs
35.6
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Albany
53.0%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.6 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 7.4% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 26.6% | 5.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.0% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Colorado Springs
41.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $44,893 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 41.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $451,202 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 61.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Albany, NY | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Colorado Springs
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.0% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.0°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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