Albany NY vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Albany
53.0%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 53.0% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 26.6% | 6.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 8.2% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $871,599 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Albany, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.0% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 52.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.8 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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