Albany NY vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 13.9% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 35.5% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 21.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.0% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Lancaster
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $29,766 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 20.1% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $466,147 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.6% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.3% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.0% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 62.1°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 33.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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