Albany NY vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 2.6% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 36.5% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.5% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 3.9% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Albany +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $48,465 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $33,788 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $55,297 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.9% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 23.6% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 27.5% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Albany, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 643 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2824 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Shreveport
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 43.1% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 17.6% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.1% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.6% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 19.1% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 52.7 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Albany 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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