Albany NY vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Portland
12.4%
White
Albany
53.0%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.6 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 12.4% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 26.6% | 5.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,691 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $538,687 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Albany, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3001 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 78.3 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.5 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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