Albany NY vs Bellingham 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%
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Bellingham
34.5
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Bellingham
9.1%
White
Albany
53.0%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Bellingham
5.4%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Bellingham
10.0%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 92,367 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 9.1% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 26.6% | 1.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 5.4% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.0% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Bellingham
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $65,821 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $42,120 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 18.3% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 46.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $669,185 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 45.2% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Bellingham
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.7% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.5% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Bellingham
51.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.7°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 35.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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