CostIndexUSA

Albany, NY vs Erie, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Albany
99.6
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Erie
91
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Erie is moderately cheaper than Albany — 8.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Albany, you would need $73,100 in Erie. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing44.6%
Albany
102.6
Erie
56.8
🛒 Groceries+1.0%
Albany
99.7
Erie
100.7
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Albany
102.6
Erie
102.6
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Albany
92.9
Erie
92.8
Utilities20.3%
Albany
134
Erie
106.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Erie, PA
$73,100
$6,900 less needed in Erie

Formula: salary × (91 ÷ 99.6) = salary × 0.9137. 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×

Erie, PA

Median Home Price
$209,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
56.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Albany has 44.6% lower housing costs compared to Erie.

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

Erie, PA

Median Household Income
$60,700
Per Capita Income
$34,600
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
94,831
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyRetail

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)

Erie, PA
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.