Albany NY vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Albany
53.0%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 11.6% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 26.6% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.1% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,697 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 34.2% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 41.8 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.8 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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