Albany vs Lincoln
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albany
Lincoln
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.5%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to $70,455 in Lincoln.
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 $70,455 in Lincoln.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $79,839 in Albany.
Living in Albany vs Lincoln
Housing Costs
Albany's housing index of 93 is higher Lincoln's 77, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $264,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $1,075/mo in Lincoln, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 98 in Lincoln. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $466/month in Lincoln. 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 93 in Lincoln. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $372 in Lincoln. 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 102 in Lincoln. 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 $71,900 in Lincoln. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $77,312 respectively. Lincoln 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 $1,678/month in Lincoln. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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