Albany NY vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 39.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 53.0% | 34.2% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 13.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.6% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Miami
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Miami
35.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $59,390 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 35.6% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Albany +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $580,996 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 30.7% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Miami
12.3%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.5% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 27.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.3% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 75.8°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 64.1 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 29.9 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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