Albany NY vs Grand Rapids 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Grand Rapids
32.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Albany
53.0%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 11.3% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 26.6% | 17.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $33,953 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,052 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 40.1% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 471 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.4% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.4% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.9% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.0% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.1°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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