Albany NY vs Kennewick 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%
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Albany
53.0%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 23,594 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 53.0% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 26.6% | 3.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.7% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Kennewick
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $433,399 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 37.4% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.9% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.1% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 54.7°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 32.4 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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