Albany NY vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Albany
53.0%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 40.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 4.5% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 26.6% | 19.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 3.4% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 35.1% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Albany, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Springfield
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 41.1% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.9% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.7% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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