Albany NY vs Bellevue WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Bellevue
38.3
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Bellevue
45.0%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Bellevue
2.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Bellevue
8.5%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 151,199 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 42.1% | Bellevue + |
| White | 53.0% | 45.0% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 2.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 41.0% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 8.5% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Bellevue
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $161,300 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $92,441 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.0% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 7.3% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 71.4% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $1,527,243 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 51.9% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Bellevue
3409
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 18.8% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.9% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.5% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 5.4% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 5.5% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Bellevue
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Bellevue
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Bellevue
25.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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