Albany NY vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.8 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 53.0% | 24.8% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 17.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.8% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Elizabeth
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $28,490 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,416 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 14.2% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Albany +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $531,592 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 25.4% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 34.8% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.7% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 28.1% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.0% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 29.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, 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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