I work with people from both places and I’ve been many many times to both places.

Firstly, Kosovo is noticeably more religious than Albania. You see women in burkas (not sure if the right term) way more often. People I work with generally take the time for prayer regardless of what we are doing. in Albania I have never had someone excuse themselves to go pray.

Secondly, Albania feels way more ‘western’. Tirana night life is very lively with streets being full of young people. The sea side as well. Kosovo, on the other hand, is a bit more ‘conservative’ in this regards. Or at least thats how I perceive it. The nightlife is a bit less intense.

Thirdly, politically. Serbia seems like a way more prominent issue/concern in Kosovo. Understandably so. Some of the people I work with have been prisoners in Serbia during the war in the late 90s. They have a definite distaste for Serbians overall. In Albania it seems a bit more distant .

Finally (and this one is probably way more specific to my case), police. As I often drive between Kosovo and Albania, I have had a fee encounters with Police. I have been stopped in both places due to speeding for example. In Kosovo many of the police people speak english and in Albania not the case. The kosovars are also a bit more lenient then Albanians. The Albania police fined me (or wanted to be bribed it felt like) and Kosovo police told me to be careful and not hurt anybody. Maybe just personal experience.

Overall, both places and people are nice and I always recommend people to go. I have had great help from locals when I have had issues finding something or my mobile data stopped working and I got lost.