Albany NY vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Madison
11.6%
White
Albany
53.0%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 11.6% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 26.6% | 7.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 9.3% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,837 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $429,253 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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