Albany NY vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 53.0% | 28.7% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 21.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Jersey City
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,416 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Albany +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $664,939 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 28.8% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.0% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jersey City, NJ | 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 +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 40.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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