Albany NY vs Lakeland 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Albany
53.0%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 82,506 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 48.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 12.9% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 26.6% | 8.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.7% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 26.8% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 38.9% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.3% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.1% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 72.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 54.8 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland 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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