Albany NY vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Albany
53.0%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 53.0% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 26.6% | 12.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 6.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $35,825 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 34.1% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $435,532 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.3% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.4% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.9% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.5% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 48.1 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester 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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