RANKED: Best places to live in the Capital Region for 2025

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- School and neighborhood review website Niche recently released its 2025 Best Places to Live in America rankings. Based on that list, the website also released the 2025 Best Places to Live in the Albany Area.

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 affordability, the local housing market, neighborhood diversity, area public schools, and walkability.

For the purpose of the rankings, Niche said "places" include non-rural towns with a population of 1,000 or more, including neighborhoods (located within a city), suburbs, and cities. Here are the 25 best places to live in the Capital Region for 2025, according to Niche.

25. Union Street

• Neighborhood in Schenectady
• Overall grade: B+
• Population: 9,955
• Median household income: $81,205
• Median home value: $191,093

24. Scotia

• Located in Schenectady County
• Overall grade: B+
• Population: 7,260
• Median household income: $74,185
• Median home value: $182,800

23. Beverwyck

• Neighborhood in Albany
• Overall grade: B+
• Population: 2,364
• Median household income: $64,400
• Median home value: $187,217

22. Northside

• Neighborhood in Schenectady
• Overall grade: B+
• Population: 12,221
• Median household income: $64,362
• Median home value: $176,052

21. East Glenville

• Located in Schenectady County
• Overall grade: B+
• Population: 11,399
• Median household income: $86,023
• Median home value: $273,900

20. Ballston Spa

• Located in Saratoga County
• Overall grade: B+
• Population: 5,080
• Median household income: $82,341
• Median home value: $281,600

19. Albany

• Located in Albany County
• Overall grade: B+
• Population: 100,081
• Median household income: $59,485
• Median home value: $223,000

18. Pine Hills

• Neighborhood in Albany
• Overall grade: A-
• Population: 14,205
• Median household income: $60,374
• Median home value: $240,550

17. Wynantskill

• Located in Rensselaer County
• Overall grade: A-
• Population: 3,675
• Median household income: $107,045
• Median home value: $286,900

16. Melrose

• Neighborhood in Albany
• Overall grade: A-
• Population: 2,896
• Median household income: $73,540
• Median home value: $242,935

15. Mansion

• Neighborhood in Albany
• Overall grade: A-
• Population: 2,879
• Median household income: $50,960
• Median home value: $188,154

14. Delaware Area

• Neighborhood in Albany
• Overall grade: A-
• Population: 9,498
• Median household income: $78,602
• Median home value: $182,336

13. Buckingham Pond/Crestwood

• Neighborhood in Albany
• Overall grade: A-
• Population: 7,160
• Median household income: $100,667
• Median home value: $281,961

12. Menands

• Located in Albany County
• Overall grade: A-
• Population: 4,503
• Median household income: $79,750
• Median home value: $237,700

11. Altamont

• Located in Albany County
• Overall grade: A-
• Population: 1,767
• Median household income: $105,455
• Median home value: $306,700

10. Hudson Park

• Neighborhood in Albany
• Overall grade: A
• Population: 2,453
• Median household income: $54,115
• Median home value: $219,654

9. New Scotland/Woodlawn

• Neighborhood in Albany
• Overall grade: A
• Population: 3,306
• Median household income: $85,089
• Median home value: $247,148

8. Voorheesville

• Located in Albany County
• Overall grade: A
• Population: 2,828
• Median household income: $106,250
• Median home value: $299,300

7. Westmere

• Located in Albany County
• Overall grade: A
• Population: 7,616
• Median household income: $86,398
• Median home value: $291,200

6. Helderberg

• Neighborhood in Albany
• Overall grade: A
• Population: 3,168
• Median household income: $95,875
• Median home value: $250,915

5. Saratoga Springs

• Located in Saratoga County
• Overall grade: A
• Population: 28,542
• Median household income: $100,485
• Median home value: $445,100

4. Hampton Manor

• Located in Rensselaer County
• Overall grade: A
• Population: 5,448
• Median household income: $105,504
• Median home value: $223,300

3. Country Knolls

• Located in Saratoga County
• Overall grade: A
• Population: 5,587
• Median household income: $131,813
• Median home value: $359,700

2. Center Square

• Neighborhood in Albany
• Overall grade: A
• Population: 1,798
• Median household income: $87,525
• Median home value: $381,869

1. Washington Park

• Neighborhood in Albany
• Overall grade: A
• Population: 1,525
• Median household income: $76,941
• Median home value: $361,176

You can look at the 2023 rankings on the NEWS10 website. To view the full 2025 list, you can visit the Niche website.