Albany NY vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Flint
2.9%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 80,835 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 2.9% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 34.4% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 0.6% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 4.5% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Albany +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $36,194 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $20,799 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,052 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 17.4% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 34.4% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 13.1% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 471 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 50.5% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 19.3% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 23.5% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 25.3% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Flint
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, 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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