Albany NY vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Albany
53.0%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 8.2% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 26.6% | 1.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.7% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 44.0% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $528,447 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Albany, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.1% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.7% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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