Albany NY vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 12.2% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 51.2% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 31.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 34.8% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.2% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.8% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 70.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 50.0 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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