New York 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Seattle
19.9%
White
New York
35.9%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
New York
14.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 741,440 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 19.9% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 22.7% | 6.6% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 8.2% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
New York +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $871,599 | New York + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
New York +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.0% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, 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
New York
44.2 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while new York offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $816,078. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. 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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