Albany, NY vs Brea, CA
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
70.2
#1122 nationally
Brea
64.3
#1700 nationally
Brea leads in crime level (5.8 vs 22.4). Brea leads in median household income ($120,226 vs $54,736). Albany leads in cost of living index (109 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brea, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.2 (#1122) | 64.3 (#1700) |
| Population | 101,228 | 48,479 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $335,126 | $1,134,146 |
| Median Household Income | $54,736 | $120,226 |
| Average Commute | 19.3 min | 31.1 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 50 |
| Crime Level | 22.4 | 5.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.8 | D+2.6 |
C-
70.2 Score
Albany, NY
Mid-size New York city with community character
Median Home
$335,126
Population
101,228
Crime
High
Walk Score
65
Northeast
View Albany, NY →
D
64.3 Score
Brea, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,134,146
Population
48,479
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
50
Pacific
View Brea, CA →