Albany NY vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Albany
26.6%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 40.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 53.0% | 44.0% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.5% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 37.6% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Albany, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $399,650 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Albany, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.7% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.0% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 75.4°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 62.3 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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