Skyline of Albany
Cost of Living: 82 75,000

Albany, GA, US

Southwest Georgia hub with the Flint River, Ray Charles Plaza, and agricultural roots.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 82

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 85

Affordable

Median Income $42,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.5%

Job market health

Albany vs US Average

Cost of Living
Albany: 82
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Albany: 85
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Albany: 5.75%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.8%
  • Sales Tax: 8.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $42,000
  • Unemployment: 4.5%
  • Population: 75,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 215/year
  • Summer High: 92°F
  • Winter Low: 40°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: $160,000
  • 1BR Rent: $800/mo

Cost of Living

Albany's cost of living index is 82 (US average = 100).

CategoryAlbanyNational AverageDifference
Overall82100-18.0%
Housing85100-15.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$160,000
Median Rent (1BR)$800/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,000/mo
Price per Sq Ft$106

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Albany:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$103Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$39Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$17Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$50Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$304Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Albany scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
82
Rent
$800
Sunny Days
215
Tax
5.75%
Unemployment
4.5%
Climate
92°F / 40°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
75,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Albany has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January60°F40°F2.5"
April77°F55°F2.8"
July92°F67°F1.5"
October72°F58°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Albany faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Flood High Risk

Flint River flooding.

Hurricane High Risk

Coastal areas affected by hurricanes.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.75%
  • Sales Tax: 8%
  • Property Tax: ~0.92% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.5%.

Schools & Education

23/100
School Quality Score
Better than 7% of US cities
?
21
Total Schools
14.7:1
Student:Teacher
100.0%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

7
Universities
#446
Top University Rank
1
Top 500 Universities
Top-Ranked University University at Albany, SUNY

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Albany, GA, US?

The cost of living index in Albany is 82, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Albany?

The median home price in Albany is $160,000. The housing index is 85.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Albany is approximately $800/mo.

Does Albany, GA have income tax?

Albany is in GA, which has an income tax rate of 5.75%.

What is the climate like in Albany?

Albany enjoys approximately 215 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 92°F, while winter lows can drop to around 40°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.