Albany NY vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.8 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 53.0% | 16.5% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Newark
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Albany +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $48,416 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $25,509 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,416 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 10.9% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 24.7% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 17.4% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Albany +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $482,675 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 24.1% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.9% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.6% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.0% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 23.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 18.2% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 54.9°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 46.3 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, 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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