Albany NY vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 8.3% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 41.5% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.2% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Rochester
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $46,628 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $30,451 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 26.6% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 29.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Albany +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 37.2% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Rochester
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Rochester
1736
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 38.0% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.3% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.6% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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