Albany NY vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Albany
53.0%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 11.2% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 26.6% | 4.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.5% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 31.5% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $435,670 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 450 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2150 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.6% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.0% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 71.8°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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