Albany, NY

New York · Metropolitan Area

Albany is a large city in New York with a population of 100,081. Residents earn $59,485 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
100,081 Population 4,677/sq mi density
$59,485 Median Income $35,851 per capita
$223,000 Home Value $312,118 Zillow
$1,178 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature 256 sunny days/yr
813 Violent Crime/100K 3,943 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$59,485 median income, 5.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$223,000 home value, $1,178/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
813 violent crimes/100K (114% above avg)
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
44.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,485
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $223,000
21% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 813/100K
114% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 44.8%
33% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,178
1% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.1%
9% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.3%
47% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.1%
6% higher than US avg

How Albany Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population100,081
Median Age31.9 yrs
Density4,677/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 53%

Economy

B
Median Income$59,485
Per Capita$35,851
Unemployment5.3%
Poverty13.1%
County GDP$46,129M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$223,000
Rent$1,178
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$312,118

Crime

F
Violent813/100K
Property3,943/100K
Murder8.1/100K
Assault510/100K
Burglary693/100K

Health

Obesity35.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.9%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain52.3 in/yr
Sunny Days256/yr
Elevation249 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.8%
High School+89.6%
School Score5.77

Community

2024 VoteR 37% / D 63%
Commute20 min
EV Stations198
Libraries19

Is Albany a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Albany receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include a highly educated population, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Albany offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Albany is $59,485, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 13.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Albany is $223,000, 21% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,178 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 813 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,943 per 100,000, 101% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 44.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 89.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Albany experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 256 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 52.3 inches, including 47.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Albany has a population of 100,081 with a density of 4,677 people per square mile. The median age is 31.9 years, 18% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (53%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 26.6% Black.

Population

100,081
Total Population
4,677
People / sq mi
31.9yrs
Median Age
18% below US avg
21.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Albany vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only82.6%
5% above US avg
Spanish17.4%
30% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Albany vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Albany is $59,485, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Albany vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,485
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,851
Avg Weekly Wage$1,584
IRS Avg AGI$111,844

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.3%
47% above US avg
Poverty Rate13.1%
6% above US avg
Establishments (County)11,137
County GDP$46,129M

Business (County)

Restaurants990
Healthcare1,021
Retail1,229
Manufacturing222

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,165
190% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.56%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.5 min
Work from Home11.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Albany is $223,000, 21% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,178 (1% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $312,118.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$223,000
21% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$312,118
Median List Price$260,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$260,000
$/Sq Ft$157
Homes Sold54
Sale-to-List Ratio98.9%
Price Drops14.8%
Inventory108

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,178
1% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,590

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,217
1 Bedroom$1,417
2 Bedrooms$1,702
3 Bedrooms$2,041
4 Bedrooms$2,253

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied37.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,165
190% above US avg
Effective Rate4.56%
In Albany, 35.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.9% report depression. 25.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Albany vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.1%
9% above US avg
Diabetes11.0%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure34.1%
Asthma11.6%
COPD6.2%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.2%
Physical Inactivity25.9%
Depression20.9%
Mental Distress16.9%
Physical Distress13.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.5%
Checkup Rate79.3%
Premature Death7,276/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access93.9%
Healthcare Facilities1,021
Albany has a violent crime rate of 813 per 100,000 residents, 114% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,943 per 100,000 (101% above US avg). The murder rate is 8.1 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Albany vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent813.4/100K
114% above US avg
Murder8.1/100K
29% above US avg
Rape54.8/100K
Robbery240.4/100K
Assault510.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,943.4/100K
101% above US avg
Burglary692.7/100K
Theft3,126.9/100K
Vehicle Theft123.7/100K
Arson12.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Albany has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.3 inches. The area enjoys 256 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.6°F
4% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days256 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.3 inches
38% above US avg
Snowfall47.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood
Good Days %76.5%
Unhealthy Days1

Geography

Elevation249 ft (76 m)
Area21.4 sq mi (55.4 km²)
Population Density4,677/sq mi
Coordinates42.6657°N, 73.7984°W
County FIPS36001
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 44.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 25.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 37.1%
D 62.9%

Winner: Democrat by 25.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+44.8%
33% above US avg
High School+89.6%
School Test Score5.77
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density4,677/sq mi
Total Area21.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations198
Alt Fuel Stations203
Public Libraries19
Healthcare Facilities1,021
Restaurants990
Retail Stores1,229

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.5 min
Work from Home11.9%

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