CostIndexUSA

Albany, NY vs Mobile, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Albany
99.6
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Mobile
88.1
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Mobile is moderately cheaper than Albany — 11.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Albany, you would need $70,800 in Mobile. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing41.4%
Albany
102.6
Mobile
60.1
🛒 Groceries3.3%
Albany
99.7
Mobile
96.4
🚗 Transportation1.1%
Albany
102.6
Mobile
101.5
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Albany
92.9
Mobile
91.9
Utilities37.2%
Albany
134
Mobile
84.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Albany to see what you'd need to earn in Mobile to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Mobile, AL
$70,800
$9,200 less needed in Mobile

Formula: salary × (88.1 ÷ 99.6) = salary × 0.8845. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Albany, NY

Median Home Price
$350,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
102.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Mobile, AL

Median Home Price
$187,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
60.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5×

Albany has 41.4% lower housing costs compared to Mobile.

Income & Job Market

Albany, NY

Median Household Income
$82,400
Per Capita Income
$47,000
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
98,111
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationFinanceTechnology

Mobile, AL

Median Household Income
$55,400
Per Capita Income
$31,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
187,041
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsMilitaryAerospace

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Albany, NY
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Mobile, AL
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.