Albany NY vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Albany
53.0%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 9.1% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 26.6% | 18.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 7.2% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 8.9% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 40.4% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $427,121 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.5% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.8% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.3% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Albany +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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