Albany NY vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Salinas
32.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 53.0% | 21.8% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 1.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 5.7% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Salinas
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $28,813 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 15.5% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $751,711 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Albany, NY | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.4% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.2% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 22.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.9% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 57.3°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.8 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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