Albany NY vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 115,396 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.6 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 53.0% | 21.4% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 17.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Richmond
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 32.6% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $608,357 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Albany, NY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Richmond
32.9%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.9% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.9% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 58.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 37.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 503 in Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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