Albany NY vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Albany
53.0%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 14.8% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 26.6% | 5.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.6% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $75,331 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 33.5% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $441,257 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.0% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.9% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 44.6 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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