Albany NY vs Renton 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 75,721 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.0 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 53.0% | 48.7% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 2.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 6.8% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $765,686 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Albany, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.1% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 53.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 40.1 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.4 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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