Albany NY vs Columbia 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 138,019 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 5.1% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 49.9% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.7% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 5.7% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $55,653 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $54,550 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 23.3% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 34.4% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.1% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.2% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.7% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.0% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 66.7°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 46.3 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbia, 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
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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