Albany NY vs Fresno CA — 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Fresno
32.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 53.0% | 38.0% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 6.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Fresno
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Albany +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $31,012 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.6% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 20.9% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 24.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $391,442 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 49.7% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Fresno
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Fresno
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Fresno
13.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 37.5% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.7% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.1% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 15.3% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.8% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 64.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Fresno
23.7 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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