City Comparison
Albany vs Smyrna
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Albany scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Albany
Smyrna
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albany is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Smyrna.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albany's average rent is
46% lower than Smyrna's.
| Metric | Albany | Smyrna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,750 | -46% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $190 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $150 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,630 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Smyrna offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albany delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Albany is estimated at
$42,000 vs $57,912 in Smyrna.
| Metric | Albany | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $52,722 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $57,912 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 53,255 idx |
| Household Income | $43,500 | $67,048 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Albany runs warmer on average — a 68.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Albany comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Albany sees 3.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Albany | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albany has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Smyrna.
Albany scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albany leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Albany | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 33 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albany is the larger city
— approximately 5x the population of Smyrna.
From a growth perspective, Smyrna is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Smyrna has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Albany | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,634 | 13,936 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 2.90% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Albany
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Phoebe Putney Health System provides advanced medical care and serves as a major regional healthcare hub.
Abundant outdoor recreational assets include the Flint River, Radium Springs Gardens, and Chehaw Park and Zoo.
Rich cultural and historical heritage anchored by the Albany Civil Rights Institute and Ray Charles Plaza.
Short average commute times compared to major metropolitan traffic centers.
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates exceed national medians per FBI crime data summaries.
Local median household incomes lag behind national benchmarks, limiting higher wage growth.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Hot and humid summer climate conditions can be intense for residents sensitive to high temperatures.
Slower commercial retail diversification compared to larger growing Georgia urban centers.
Smyrna
Advantages
Smyrna is one of the fastest-growing communities in Delaware, indicating strong development and opportunity.
The cost of living in Smyrna is generally lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
The town boasts a quality school district, making it attractive for families.
Smyrna's strategic location provides convenient access to larger job markets in Dover and Wilmington.
The town offers a strong community-focused lifestyle with a walkable downtown and local events.
Drawbacks
Smyrna has a higher crime rate compared to both national and statewide averages, with a worsening crime trajectory.
The town exhibits high car dependency due to a Walk Score of 0.
The average commute time of 33.4 minutes is higher than the national average.
Public transportation options, while available, may have limited frequency and coverage.
Despite growth, the town itself has limited economic opportunities, requiring commutes for many jobs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Albany
#522Georgia, USA
51.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
68.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
63
Business
58
Smyrna
#533Delaware, USA
49.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$52,722
Cost Index
99
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
68
Business
72
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