Albany NY vs Los Angeles 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Los Angeles
36.9
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 53.0% | 37.3% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 8.5% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Los Angeles
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Los Angeles
7.9%
Los Angeles +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Los Angeles
37.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 16.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 37.8% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Albany +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $956,465 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 36.3% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Los Angeles
2388
| Metric | Albany, NY | Los Angeles, 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%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Los Angeles
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Los Angeles
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.9% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 62.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 33.8 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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