Cost of living, Albany

99.6

BEA Regional Price Parity vs US average of 100 (2024). Albany sits about 0.4% below national prices.

BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA RPP all-items, 2024. Disclaimer

vs US
−0.4%
Metro
Albany
CBSA
10580

Albany all-items RPP is 99.6 (2024), about 0.4% below US-average prices. A $90,000 salary at national prices maps to about $89,640 here for equal purchasing power.

Price components in Albany

ComponentAlbanyUS
All items99.6100
Goods99.7100
Housing (rents)102.6100
Other services97.8100

BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, US = 100.

What a US-average salary buys in Albany

At US averageIn Albany
$60,000$59,760
$90,000$89,640
$150,000$149,400

Local equivalent = national salary × (99.6 ÷ 100). BEA RPP 2024.

Compare a move from Albany

Top wages here

FAQ

What is the cost of living in Albany?
The BEA Regional Price Parity (all items, 2024) for Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY is 99.6, versus a US average of 100 (−0.4%).
How is RPP different from CPI?
CPI tracks price change over time. RPP compares price levels across places in a given year versus the national average of 100. PayByCity uses RPP for cross-metro purchasing power, including goods, housing rents, and other services components.
How should I use this with OEWS wages?
Pair local BLS OEWS medians (May 2025) with this RPP. A $90,000 salary at US-average prices maps to about $89,640 in Albany for equal purchasing power.
Does this include taxes or housing alone?
No. All-items RPP is a broad price-level index. Component indexes show goods, rents, and other services separately, but this is not a rent quote, tax estimate, or household budget.

What this covers

Includes

  • BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
  • BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
  • Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)

Does not include

  • Federal, state, or local income taxes
  • Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
  • Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand

Highest wages here

See methodology and disclaimer.