Albany NY vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 14.6% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 36.1% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 7.8% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Albany +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,080 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.4% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 34.6% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 57.1°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 48.5 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 34.5 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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