Albany NY vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Albany
53.0%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 9.8% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 26.6% | 23.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.6% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 8.6% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $52,606 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 33.4% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 43.3 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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