Albany NY vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Albany
53.0%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 41.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 53.0% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 26.6% | 19.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.1% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $34,474 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 22.6% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.5% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.0% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.5% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 29.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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