Albany NY vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 8.0% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 50.7% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.0% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 8.6% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $55,931 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $35,704 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Tallahassee
39.5%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 39.5% | Tallahassee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 34.1% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.3% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 67.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 58.1 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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