Albany vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albany
Roanoke
The Verdict
Living in Roanoke costs 22.2% less than Albany. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Albany, you would need $61,364 in Roanoke.
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 $61,364 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $91,667 in Albany.
Living in Albany vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Albany's housing index of 93 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $225,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 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 Roanoke, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $461/month in Roanoke. 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 91 in Roanoke. 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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $65,062 respectively. Roanoke 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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