Albany NY vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Albany
53.0%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.0 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 8.5% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 26.6% | 1.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.1% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $575,076 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.6% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.7% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.4°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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