Albany NY vs Dallas TX — 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%
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Dallas
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Dallas
33.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Dallas
41.9%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Dallas
23.7%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Dallas
3.7%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Dallas
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 1,299,553 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 23.4% | Dallas + |
| White | 53.0% | 41.9% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 23.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.7% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 41.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Dallas
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Dallas
37.4%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $67,760 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $44,138 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.9% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 17.2% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 37.4% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $311,957 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 42.4% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Dallas
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Dallas
2339
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Dallas
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Dallas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Dallas
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Dallas
22.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Dallas
13.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.8% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.4% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 22.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.4% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.0% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Dallas
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Dallas
40.6 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 65.9°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 40.6 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Dallas
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Dallas
28.3 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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