Albany vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albany
Franklin
The Verdict
Albany is 28.8% less expensive than Franklin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Albany would need approximately $105,303 in Franklin to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $105,303 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $53,417 in Albany.
Living in Albany vs Franklin
Housing Costs
Albany's housing index of 93 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $750,000. The $530,000 difference in home prices means roughly $34,452 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $475/month in Franklin. 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 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $388 in Franklin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 91 in Franklin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $85,036 respectively. Franklin 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 $2,758/month in Franklin. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 137 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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