Albany NY vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 10.8% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 36.5% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.8% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $51,888 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $29,679 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,837 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 26.6% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 41.5% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 41.8% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.7% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.1% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.1% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 17.3% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Milwaukee, 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 +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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