ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — School and neighborhood review website Niche recently released its 2026 Best Places to Live in America rankings. The rankings include more than 230 cities and 18,000 locations across the United States.
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Niche determines the rankings by using the latest data from the U.S. Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as resident reviews on the website itself. Factors include cost of living, walkability, diversity, public schools, crime and safety, jobs, and more.
For the rankings, Niche included cities, neighborhoods, suburbs and towns. For the purposes of this article, neighborhoods were excluded. Here are the 20 best places to live in the Capital Region for 2026, according to Niche.
20. West Sand Lake
- Hamlet in Rensselaer County
- Overall grade: B
- Population: 3,479
- Median household income: $121,250
- Median home value: $315,800
- Median rent: $831
19. Averill Park
- Suburb in Rensselaer County
- Overall grade: B
- Population: 1,615
- Median household income: $117,946
- Median home value: $273,300
- Median rent: $1,656
18. Schenectady
- City in Schenectady County
- Overall grade: B+
- Population: 68,847
- Median household income: $58,399
- Median home value: $168,800
- Median rent: $1,145
17. Cohoes
- City in Albany County
- Overall grade: B+
- Population: 18,159
- Median household income: $61,145
- Median home value: $223,400
- Median rent: $1,251
16. Watervliet
- City in Albany County
- Overall grade: A-
- Population: 10,287
- Median household income: $57,919
- Median home value: $179,700
- Median rent: $1,083
15. Troy
- City in Rensselaer County
- Overall grade: A-
- Population: 51,033
- Median household income: $58,477
- Median home value: $206,500
- Median rent: $1,175
14. Altamont
- Village in Albany County
- Overall grade: A-
- Population: 1,855
- Median household income: $112,159
- Median home value: $318,900
- Median rent: $1,201
13. Rensselaer
- City in Rensselaer County
- Overall grade: A-
- Population: 9,287
- Median household income: $70,080
- Median home value: $208,900
- Median rent: $1,219
12. East Glenville
- Hamlet in Schenectady County
- Overall grade: A-
- Population: 11,914
- Median household income: $96,588
- Median home value: $296,200
- Median rent: $1,470
11. Albany
- City in Albany County
- Overall grade: A-
- Population: 100,492
- Median household income: $61,986
- Median home value: $234,700
- Median rent: $1,216
10. Scotia
- Village in Schenectady County
- Overall grade: A-
- Population: 7,264
- Median household income: $76,525
- Median home value: $189,900
- Median rent: $1,031
9. Wynantskill
- Suburb in Rensselaer County
- Overall grade: A-
- Population: 3,487
- Median household income: $108,558
- Median home value: $293,400
- Median rent: $1,200
8. Ballston Spa
- Village in Saratoga County
- Overall grade: A
- Population: 5,027
- Median household income: $101,667
- Median home value: $308,200
- Median rent: $1,122
7. Voorheesville
- Village in Albany County
- Overall grade: A
- Population: 2,824
- Median household income: $111,172
- Median home value: $324,700
- Median rent: $1,228
6. Green Island
- Town-village in Albany County
- Overall grade: A
- Population: 2,970
- Median household income: $59,406
- Median home value: $138,300
- Median rent: $1,084
5. Hampton Manor
- Suburb in Rensselaer County
- Overall grade: A
- Population: 5,334
- Median household income: $98,364
- Median home value: $239,400
- Median rent: $1,188
4. Saratoga Springs
- City in Saratoga County
- Overall grade: A
- Population: 28,631
- Median household income: $105,944
- Median home value: $478,100
- Median rent: $1,470
3. Menands
- Village in Albany County
- Overall grade: A
- Population: 4,505
- Median household income: $80,583
- Median home value: $271,300
- Median rent: $1,414
2. Westmere
- Hamlet in Albany County
- Overall grade: A
- Population: 8,334
- Median household income: $88,378
- Median home value: $313,400
- Median rent: $1,629
1. Country Knolls
- Suburb in Saratoga County
- Overall grade: A
- Population: 5,445
- Median household income: $143,036
- Median home value: $383,700
- Median rent: $1,196
To view the full 2026 Best Places to Live rankings, you can visit the Niche website.
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