CountyScore

Albany County

New York · NY

#33 in New York
58
County Score

County Report Card

About Albany County, New York

Albany scores above the national middle

Albany County's composite score of 54.6 sits above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This positions Albany as a moderately livable county compared to the broader American landscape, though it reflects the mixed conditions typical of mid-sized urban counties.

Right in line with New York state

Albany County scores 54.6, virtually matching New York's state average of 54.7, meaning it ranks near the middle of the state's 62 counties. The county neither stands out as a standout performer nor lags notably behind its peers.

Housing affordability leads the way

Albany's cost score of 63.0 reflects relatively strong housing affordability, with a median home value of $277,400 and median rent of $1,252/month that are reasonable for the Capital Region. The county maintains a moderate effective tax rate of 1.894%, supporting its competitive position on fiscal matters.

Income levels trail state expectations

Albany's income score of 37.7 reveals a notable weakness: median household income of $83,149 lags behind what many comparable counties achieve. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable, limiting a complete picture of livability challenges.

A stable choice for budget-conscious households

Albany County suits families and individuals prioritizing housing affordability and reasonable taxes over maximum earning potential. The county offers a moderate livability profile ideal for public employees, retirees, and workers in service sectors seeking reasonable cost-of-living in a mid-sized regional center.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax49Cost63SafetyComing SoonHealth81.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.7Risk14.1WaterComing Soon
🏛49
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼37.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Albany County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Placer County
California
58
Median income: $114,678
LaSalle County
Illinois
58
Median income: $72,281
Grafton County
New Hampshire
58
Median income: $84,021
Orleans County
New York
58
Median income: $63,838
Lucas County
Ohio
58
Median income: $60,095

Deep Dives

Albany County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Albany County

via TaxByCounty

Albany taxes slightly below national median

Albany County's effective tax rate of 1.894% sits below the New York state average of 2.046%, putting homeowners in a moderate position nationally. The county's median property tax of $5,253 exceeds the national median of $2,690, though this reflects Albany's higher median home value of $277,400 compared to the national median of $281,900.

Middle of the pack in New York

Among New York's 62 counties, Albany ranks in the middle tier for effective tax rates, neither among the highest nor lowest. The county collects $5,253 in median annual property taxes, about $544 more than the state average of $4,709.

Competitive with nearby upstate counties

Albany's 1.894% effective rate is lower than Broome County's 2.635% and Cayuga County's 2.282%, making it relatively competitive for the region. However, Albany's median home values ($277,400) are substantially higher than rural neighbors like Allegany County ($97,900), driving up absolute tax bills.

Expect roughly $5,253 annually

On a median-valued Albany home of $277,400, you'll pay approximately $5,253 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $5,608; without one, it drops to $4,604.

Many Albany homeowners overpay annually

Studies show 15–25% of homeowners statewide are overassessed on their properties, meaning you could owe thousands less. Filing a formal assessment appeal costs nothing and takes roughly 30 days—worth exploring if your home has lost value or been inflated by the assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Albany County

via CostByCounty

Albany rents outpace national norms

Renters in Albany County spend 18.1% of their household income on rent, slightly above the national average of 17.0%. With a median household income of $83,149—well above the national median of $74,755—most Albany households can manage housing costs, though they're paying more than their national peers for the privilege.

Middle of the pack in New York

Albany County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1% sits just above New York's state average of 17.6%, placing it in the middle tier of affordability across the state's 62 counties. The median rent of $1,252 exceeds the state average of $1,133 by $119 monthly, reflecting the county's status as a regional hub.

Pricier than upstate peers

Albany renters pay significantly more than those in neighboring Schenectady or nearby Saratoga County, with rents running $350–400 higher than rural western New York counties like Allegany or Cattaraugus. Home values here also climb steep: a median of $277,400 compared to under $120,000 in many rural counties, reflecting Albany's status as the state capital region.

Income cushions housing burden

Renters dedicate 18.1% of income to rent ($1,252/month), while homeowners spend 21.4% on monthly costs ($1,483). With a median household income of $83,149, Albany residents shoulder a heavier percentage load than the state average, yet maintain stronger absolute dollars than most New York counties.

Capital region draws in transplants

If you're earning above $83,000 annually and seek a vibrant mid-sized metro, Albany balances professional opportunity against manageable housing costs—though expect to pay a premium over rural alternatives. Homebuyers should expect a median price of $277,400; renters will find the market reasonable if your income matches the county median.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Albany County

via IncomeByCounty

Albany earns well above the national average

Albany County's median household income of $83,149 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $8,400, placing it in the upper tier nationally. This 11% advantage reflects the county's strong professional and education sectors anchored by the state capital and regional institutions.

Among New York's strongest income counties

Albany ranks near the top of New York State's 62 counties, with its $83,149 median household income substantially outpacing the state average of $76,433. The county's per capita income of $46,231 also surpasses the state average of $41,133, signaling broad-based economic prosperity.

Albany pulls ahead of regional peers

Compared to neighboring upstate counties like Cayuga ($66,583) and Broome ($61,059), Albany residents enjoy roughly $17,000 to $22,000 more in median household income. This income advantage reflects Albany's denser urban core and concentration of government and professional employment.

Strong incomes support housing costs

Albany's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1% sits comfortably below the widely cited 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing is genuinely affordable for most households. With a median home value of $277,400, the county's above-average income translates into real purchasing power for homeownership.

Position your earnings for long-term growth

With incomes exceeding both state and national medians, Albany households are well-positioned to invest beyond basic housing. Consider tax-advantaged retirement accounts, diversified investment portfolios, and property appreciation to build generational wealth in a region with solid economic fundamentals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Albany County

via HealthByCounty

Albany outpaces national life expectancy

At 78.5 years, Albany County residents live nearly a year longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Just 12.4% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 18%, suggesting strong overall wellness across the county.

Top-tier health outcomes statewide

Albany County's 78.5-year life expectancy ranks it above New York State's 77.9-year average and places it among the healthiest counties in the region. Its 4.5% uninsured rate is notably lower than the state average of 5.3%.

Leader among upstate peers

Albany's life expectancy of 78.5 years significantly outpaces neighbors like Broome County (76.5 years) and Cattaraugus County (74.5 years). The county's 96 primary care providers per 100,000 residents also far exceed regional benchmarks.

Strong provider access, low barriers

With 96 primary care providers and 451 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Albany County offers robust healthcare infrastructure. Only 4.5% of residents lack health insurance, meaning most have consistent access to preventive and ongoing care.

Protect your health with coverage

Even though most Albany County residents have insurance, life happens. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your employer's benefits office to review your current coverage and explore options for better protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Albany County

via RiskByCounty

Albany faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 85.88, Albany County ranks as relatively moderate—outpacing the national average and putting it among higher-risk counties nationwide. This score reflects significant exposure across multiple hazard types, from flooding to earthquakes to tornadoes.

Higher risk than most New York counties

Albany's 85.88 score sits well above New York's average of 69.42, making it one of the state's more vulnerable counties. Only a handful of New York counties face comparable or greater composite risk.

Riskier than similar upstate regions

Albany County's risk profile exceeds that of nearby Cayuga County (61.51) and Chemung County (54.77), though it's somewhat less exposed than Broome County (87.47) to the south. The Capital Region's location at the convergence of water systems and seismic zones drives higher risk across the board.

Floods and tornadoes top your list

Flood risk stands at 90.27—among the highest in the state—followed by tornado risk at 88.04 and earthquake risk at 83.65. Albany's position along the Hudson River valley and proximity to active fault lines create overlapping hazards that compound year-round vulnerability.

Flood insurance is essential

Given flood risk near 90, flood insurance should be a priority even if you're not in a mapped floodplain—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Consider earthquake coverage as well, since seismic risk in Albany exceeds 83, and review your tornado preparedness plan annually.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.