Albany NY vs Columbus GA — 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%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Columbus
35.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Columbus
2.6%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Columbus
8.3%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 204,383 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 5.3% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 39.3% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.6% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 8.3% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Columbus
$56,622
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Columbus
$32,811
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Columbus
29.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $56,622 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $32,811 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,405 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 18.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 29.7% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 50.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Columbus
1752
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 392 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1752 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Columbus
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Columbus
16.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 40.3% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.5% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.1% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.8% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.1% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 64.4°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 49.6 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Columbus
21.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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