City Comparison

Albany vs Antioch

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Albany

New York
99
Average
$220,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$43,098
Median Income

Antioch

California
147
Expensive
$610,000
Median Home
$2,250/mo
Median Rent
$97,500
Median Income

The Verdict

32.7%

Living in Albany costs 32.7% less than Antioch. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Albany, you would need $111,364 in Antioch.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
93
Albany
193
Antioch
Groceries
102
Albany
107
Antioch
Utilities
107
Albany
156
Antioch
Transportation
101
Albany
140
Antioch
Healthcare
100
Albany
122
Antioch

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $111,364 in Antioch.

Conversely, $75,000 in Antioch equals $50,510 in Albany.

Living in Albany vs Antioch

Housing Costs

Albany's housing index of 93 is lower Antioch's 193, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $610,000. The $390,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,356 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $2,250/mo in Antioch, a monthly difference of $1,050.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 107 in Antioch. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $508/month in Antioch. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Albany and 156 in Antioch. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $624 in Antioch. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 122 in Antioch. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $97,500 in Antioch. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $66,327 respectively. Antioch residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $2,275/month in Antioch. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Antioch, median rent of $2,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Albany is 32.7% more affordable overall with an index of 99 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $111,364 in Antioch, based on the cost of living difference.
Albany's housing index is 93 with median homes at $220,000, while Antioch's is 193 with median homes at $610,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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