Albany NY vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 53.0% | 30.4% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 1.5% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $2,144,024 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 43.8% | Sunnyvale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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