Albany NY vs Kansas City MO — 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Albany
53.0%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 8.5% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 26.6% | 25.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.7% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,527 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 37.8% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 501 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2418 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 38.5% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.0% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.6% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.6% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 54.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.4 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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