Albany, CA vs Laurel, MD
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Laurel
66.4
#1547 nationally
Albany leads in crime level (3.8 vs 10.8). Laurel leads in cost of living index (125 vs 207). Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 53).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Laurel, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 66.4 (#1547) |
| Population | 19,097 | 29,400 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $478,130 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $92,035 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | 10.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+13.9 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Albany, CA →
D
66.4 Score
Laurel, MD
Small Maryland city with local appeal
Median Home
$478,130
Population
29,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Northeast
View Laurel, MD →