Albany NY vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Albany
53.0%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.8 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.0% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 26.6% | 7.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 32.3% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $411,323 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Albany, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 450 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2150 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.8% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 17.3% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 72.1°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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