Raleigh vs Albany

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · New York salaries

Living in Raleigh vs Albany

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Raleigh has a housing index of 107 while Albany sits at 93 (national average = 100). The median home in Raleigh costs $370,000 compared to $220,000 in Albany, a difference of $150,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Raleigh versus $1,200 in Albany.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Raleigh scores 100 while Albany scores 102. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Raleigh (108) are higher than Albany (100).

Median household income in Raleigh is $67,266 compared to $43,098 in Albany. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Raleigh vs Albany

If you are considering a move between Raleigh (index: 102) and Albany (index: 99), the 3% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Albany is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Raleigh can afford $1,570/month, while the median household in Albany can afford $1,006/month. With median homes at $370,000 in Raleigh versus $220,000 in Albany, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,500/month in Raleigh and $1,200/month in Albany, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Albany where costs are 1% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Raleigh (102) vs Albany (99)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Raleigh at 102 is 2% above the US average, while Albany at 99 is 1% below average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Raleigh and Albany land within 3 points of each other on the composite index (102 vs 99), so the overall cost picture is similar. Housing shows the widest single-category margin at 107 versus 93, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Raleigh and Albany. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Albany with indices of 93 versus 107. Median home prices of $370,000 in Raleigh and $220,000 in Albany underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Raleigh has an edge in groceries and utilities, while Albany is more affordable for housing and healthcare. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,500/month in Raleigh and $1,200/month in Albany, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $150,000 difference in median home prices between Raleigh and Albany translates to roughly $9,000 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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