Albany NY vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
High Point
14.2%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Albany
26.6%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 115,263 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.8 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 14.2% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 46.1% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
High Point
$34,492
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
High Point
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
High Point
33.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $34,492 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 33.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Albany, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $251,699 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
High Point
1999
| Metric | Albany, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Albany, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 37.7% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.8% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.2% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 60.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 46.1 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | High Point, NC | 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 +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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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