Albany NY vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 53.0% | 51.3% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.6% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 39.8% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $510,297 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.8% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.0% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 75.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 66.5 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.5 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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