Albany, New York
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Albany.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Albany?
Albany planning snapshot: population 101,317, housing index 80 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog), median home $223,000, median rent $1,178, and income near $59,485. Expect 82°F summer highs, 19°F winter lows, and about 20-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 757 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 80U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $223,000U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,178U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $59,485U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.9%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 757per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 82°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Albany compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 101,317City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $59,485Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year24% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 80ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $223,000City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year26% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,178City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year13% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.9%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 6647% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 757annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)29% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3002.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (3087.9)U.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 82°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 19°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals15.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 40.7 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals23% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 226As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals16% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Albany grew 3.6% from 97,753 in 2010 to 101,317 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Albany expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Albany's housing cost index is 80 versus 100 nationally — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($223,000 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,178 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 80 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $223,000 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,178 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Albany?
Typical ownership costs center near $223,000, while median gross rent is about $1,178 a month. Against a median household income of $59,485, rent alone is roughly 24% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $223,000
- Median rent $1,178/month
- Median household income $59,485
What is the job market like in Albany?
County unemployment recently ran 3.9% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Albany is about $59,485 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 3.9% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $59,485
How long is the typical commute in Albany?
Average one-way commute time is about 20 minutes, with Walk Score near 66/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 66/100
Is Albany safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 757 per 100k and property about 3002.4 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 757 per 100k
- Property 3002.4 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Albany?
Normals show summer highs near 82°F, winter lows near 19°F, about 40.7 inches of rain, and roughly 226 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 82°F
- Winter low 19°F
- 40.7 in rain · 226 sunny days
Snow-belt Upstate and transit-heavy downstate markets feel like different worlds. Winter lows around 19°F mean heating costs and snow logistics belong on the checklist. Average one-way commute time is about 20 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 66/100. Labor-market readings near 3.9% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates near 757 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Albany, New York counts about 101,317 residents inside the city limits. With median income around $59,485 and a cost index of 80, the market reads among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs. A typical home near $223,000 and rents around $1,178 frame most shortlists.
Albany is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Albany with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Albany city, 1600000US3601000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Albany County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014735 ALBANY AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10