Albany NY vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 53.0% | 40.7% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 13.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 5.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $64,538 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 34.7% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $429,449 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 41.2% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 34.4% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.5% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.6% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.6% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.4 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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