Albany NY vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Albany
53.0%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 92,577 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 40.0 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 53.0% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 26.6% | 11.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.5% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,405 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $662,209 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Albany, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1752 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Roswell, GA | 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
Albany +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 29.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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