Albany NY vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Albany
53.0%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 39.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 53.0% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 26.6% | 9.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $507,575 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Albany, NY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Plano
9.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.3% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Plano, TX | 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
Albany +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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