Albany NY vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Albany
53.0%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 53.0% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 26.6% | 3.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 7.0% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $62,696 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 35.7% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $570,934 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Albany, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 460 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2417 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.0% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.9% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.8% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 53.0°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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