Albany wins overall by ~14% (COL index)
Cost of living: Albany vs Chicago (2026)
A $63,500 salary in Albany buys roughly what $73,853 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$6,264/yr
Favoring Albany for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $522/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~29 months and still keep ~$63/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Albany New York | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $64K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,100Wins | $1,500 | Albany wins +$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Albany |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $1,900 | Albany wins +$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Albany |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,850Wins | $2,600 | Albany wins +$750/mo | $9,000/yr saves in Albany |
| Median home price | $270KWins | $360K | Albany wins +$90K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 100Better | 102 | Albany wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $15 | Albany wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $56Better | $60 | Albany wins +$4/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $68Wins | $105 | Albany wins +$37/mo | $444/yr saves in Albany |
| Gas price/gal | $3.35Better | $3.40 | Albany wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $170 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$5/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $185 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Chicago |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $60K | $67KBetter | Chicago wins +$7K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 6.9% | 4.9%Wins | Chicago wins -2.0 pp | $1,270/yr saves in Chicago |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.0%Wins | 10.3% | Albany wins +2.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $16.00 | Albany wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $45 | Albany wins +$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Better | $7.00 | Albany wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 92Wins | 107 | Albany wins +15 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 55 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +23 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,260/yr tax difference into cash back
Albany fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Albany.
High-yield savings
Park ~$6,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Albany cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Albany is 14% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (92 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Albany vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Albany is $1,400/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Albany is cheaper by 26%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Albany?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $87,228/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Albany. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Albany or Chicago?
Chicago has the lower state income tax rate at 4.9% vs 6.9%. The difference is 2.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Albany to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Albany offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Albany ↔ Chicago
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