Albany NY vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 39.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 53.0% | 40.5% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 5.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
San Francisco
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
San Francisco
38.5%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $1,369,171 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 38.5% | San Francisco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.6% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 55.3°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 33.9 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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