Albany NY vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Albany
53.0%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.0 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 14.1% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 26.6% | 18.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 5.2% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.5% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,467 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $334,719 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Albany, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1992 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.7% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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