Albany NY vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Albany
53.0%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 13.9% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 26.6% | 7.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $468,328 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 450 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2150 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.3% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 71.3°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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