City Comparison

Albany vs Youngstown

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Albany

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

Youngstown

Ohio
82
Very Affordable
$102,000
Median Home
$725/mo
Median Rent
$34,600
Median Income

The Verdict

20.7%

Living in Youngstown costs 20.7% less than Albany. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Albany, you would need $62,121 in Youngstown.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
93
Albany
41
Youngstown
Groceries
102
Albany
98
Youngstown
Utilities
107
Albany
96
Youngstown
Transportation
101
Albany
101
Youngstown
Healthcare
100
Albany
90
Youngstown

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $62,121 in Youngstown.

Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $90,549 in Albany.

Living in Albany vs Youngstown

Housing Costs

Albany's housing index of 93 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $102,000. The $118,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,668 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $384 in Youngstown. 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 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $42,195 respectively. Albany residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $807/month in Youngstown. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Youngstown is 20.7% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 99.
A $75,000 salary in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,121 in Youngstown, based on the cost of living difference.
Albany's housing index is 93 with median homes at $220,000, while Youngstown's is 41 with median homes at $102,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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