New York NY vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Vancouver
37.5
Vancouver +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
New York
35.9%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 192,696 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.5 | Vancouver + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 13.6% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 22.7% | 3.1% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 5.3% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 17.2% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | New York, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $78,156 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $42,839 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 31.5% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Vancouver
$510,577
Vancouver +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | New York, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $510,577 | Vancouver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | New York, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | New York, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 36.2% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 19.1% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.7% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | New York, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | New York, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while vancouver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,577. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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