Albany NY vs New Rochelle NY — 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%
New Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
New Rochelle
48,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
New Rochelle
40.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
New Rochelle
4.6%
White
Albany
53.0%
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
New Rochelle
17.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
New Rochelle
2.3%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
New Rochelle
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 48,198 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 40.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 4.6% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 66.1% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 26.6% | 17.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.3% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 8.0% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
New Rochelle
$48,535
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
New Rochelle
$30,033
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
New Rochelle
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Albany +
New Rochelle
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
New Rochelle
23.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
New Rochelle
22.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $48,535 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $30,033 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 9.7% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 23.7% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 22.8% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
New Rochelle
$920,484
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Albany, NY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $920,484 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 57.5% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
New Rochelle
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
New Rochelle
1736
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
New Rochelle
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
New Rochelle
9.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Albany, NY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 26.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.6% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 13.8% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.5% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.3% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
New Rochelle
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
New Rochelle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | New Rochelle, NY | 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
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Albany, NY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.0 min | New Rochelle + |
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, New Rochelle is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, NY vs New York, NYAlbany, NY vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, NY vs Chicago, ILAlbany, NY vs Houston, TXAlbany, NY vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, NY vs Philadelphia, PA