Albany vs Irving
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albany
Irving
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.0%, with Albany being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to $75,758 in Irving.
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 $75,758 in Irving.
Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $74,250 in Albany.
Living in Albany vs Irving
Housing Costs
Albany's housing index of 93 is lower Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $318,000. The $98,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,372 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $470/month in Irving. 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 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $444 in Irving. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 103 in Irving. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $73,400 respectively. Irving 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 $1,713/month in Irving. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 4 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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