Albany County, New York
Among the top 5% of US counties for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade F, better than 1% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade D, better than 19% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 28% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 95% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 61% of US counties
- top 4% for walkability
- top 5% for school quality
- bottom 2% for estimated total tax burden
Albany County is a county in New York with about 315,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and F for affordability. Standout strengths include walkability, school quality, and broadband access. It rates lower on income tax and estimated total tax burden.
Official websitealbanycountyny.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
very cold
cool
comf.
warm
comf.
cool
cold
v.cold
64%36%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.4 in2.8 in
humid 94%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$79k86th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$53kbetter than 15% of US counties
Home Value$264k83rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 12% of US counties
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 9% of US counties
Property Tax Rate1.94%better than 4% of US counties
Income Tax10.90%better than 3% of US counties
Sales Tax8.53%better than 23% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden20.20%better than 2% of US counties
Unemployment5.2%better than 40% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)24°F20th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)72°F20th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation42.6 in49th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall56.0 inbetter than 9% of US counties
Sunny Days186 daysbetter than 8% of US counties
Summer Humidity61°Fbetter than 70% of US counties
Comfortable Days89 daysbetter than 76% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk85.9better than 14% of US counties
Air Quality42 AQIbetter than 56% of US counties
School Quality100.0better than 96% of US counties
Violent Crime1583/100kbetter than 13% of US counties
Property Crime2607/100kbetter than 6% of US counties
Community
Population315,04193rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age38.122nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.4673rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9515th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+325th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)69.9%35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)11.4%78th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)6.5%60th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)7.3%97th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.9%78th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time21 minbetter than 73% of US counties
Walkability11.0/20better than 96% of US counties
Airport Distance81 mibetter than 61% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access88.1%better than 79% of US counties
Amenities Nearby0.63better than 32% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 62% of US counties
Frequently asked questions
- Is Albany County an affordable place to live?
- Albany County is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $53k, better than 15% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Albany County?
- The median home value in Albany County is $264k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Albany County?
- Median household income in Albany County is $79k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Albany County?
- Median gross rent in Albany County is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Albany County safe?
- Albany County is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1583/100k (better than 13%). Property crime is 2607/100k.
- What is the weather like in Albany County?
- Albany County averages 72°F in July and 24°F in January, with 42.6 in of annual precipitation and about 186 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Albany County?
- Public-school quality in Albany County is above average, scoring better than 96% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Albany County?
- The average one-way commute in Albany County is 21 min.
Other counties in New York
Explore New York
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)