salaryRent is higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 91% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.8 minutes each way. It is a highly educated city: 77.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $107,720 a year. That is $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 433 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Albany?
Share of households by yearly income. 57.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Albany
| Size | Albany | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,218 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,206 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,652 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,118 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Albany overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Albany, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Albany
Life in Albany
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Albany?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $5,649 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,202,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $120,220 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Albany, CA?
Renting in Albany costs a median of about $2,693 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Albany?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $107,720 a year, or $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Albany cheap or expensive?
Albany is rated OK: rent takes 20.8% of the typical household income of $155,419. It ranks 433rd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Albany?
The median homeowner in Albany pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.83% of the median home value.
Is Albany more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Albany?
The median home value in Albany is $1,202,200, about 7.7 times the typical yearly household income.
19,414 people live in Albany. Numbers are typical (middle) values.