CostIndexUSA

Albany, NY vs Bowling Green, KY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Albany
99.6
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableKY
Bowling Green
90.2
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Bowling Green is moderately cheaper than Albany — 9.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Albany, you would need $72,400 in Bowling Green. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing38.2%
Albany
102.6
Bowling Green
63.4
🛒 Groceries3.5%
Albany
99.7
Bowling Green
96.2
🚗 Transportation0.9%
Albany
102.6
Bowling Green
101.7
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Albany
92.9
Bowling Green
92
Utilities43.9%
Albany
134
Bowling Green
75.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Bowling Green, KY
$72,400
$7,600 less needed in Bowling Green

Formula: salary × (90.2 ÷ 99.6) = salary × 0.9056. 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×

Bowling Green, KY

Median Home Price
$259,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
63.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Albany has 38.2% lower housing costs compared to Bowling Green.

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

Bowling Green, KY

Median Household Income
$60,600
Per Capita Income
$34,500
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
72,294
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationRetailAutomotive

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)

Bowling Green, KY
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.