Albany, New York has an overall cost of living index of 98.2, which is 1.8 points below the US average of 100 — making it about average versus most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,216 per month, while the typical home is valued around $234,700. Households earn a median of $61,986 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$61,986
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,216
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$234,700
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
98.2
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,217
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,417
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,702
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,041
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
98.2
Goods
97.4
Rents / Housing
92.8
Services
131.8
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $121,300 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $96,980 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $76,640 |
| ⚡Electrician | $74,820 |
| 📊Accountant | $94,180 |
| 🔧Plumber | $83,100 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $269,020 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $111,320 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $136,420 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $77,640 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $134,860 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $62,630 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
100,492
Latest estimate
Median Age
32 yrs
Census ACS
🌬️
AQI data not available
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
48
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,219
Per month
Avg Home Value
$217,525
Census ACS
January Avg
24°F
July Avg
73°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Continental · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.1
poor
Hospitals
4
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
94.8%
What is the cost of living index for Albany?
Albany has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 98.2. The US national average is 100, so Albany is 1.8 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Albany?
The median gross rent in Albany is $1,216 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Albany?
The median household income in Albany is $61,986 per year.
What is the median home value in Albany?
The median home value in Albany is $234,700 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Albany?
Air quality data for Albany is not yet available.
What are the taxes like in Albany?
Tax data for New York is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
