Albany NY vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 5.5% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 27.7% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.3% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 4.8% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $55,687 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $32,068 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $51,690 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 33.5% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Montgomery
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 46.4% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.7% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.0% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.3% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 64.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 52.8 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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