Albany NY vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Las Vegas
6.9%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 53.0% | 49.2% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 11.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 6.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $62,696 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 27.3% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $426,069 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Albany, NY | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 460 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2417 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.5% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.5% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 17.0% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.6% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 67.4°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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