Albany NY vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Albany
53.0%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 9.3% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 26.6% | 22.5% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 5.8% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 4.2% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,080 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.8°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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