CostIndexUSA

Albany, NY vs St. Paul, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNY
Albany
99.6
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
MN
St. Paul
104.8
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Albany is moderately cheaper than St. Paul — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Albany, you would need $84,200 in St. Paul. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+9.0%
Albany
102.6
St. Paul
111.8
🛒 Groceries+3.4%
Albany
99.7
St. Paul
103.1
🚗 Transportation+6.8%
Albany
102.6
St. Paul
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+6.8%
Albany
92.9
St. Paul
99.2
Utilities30.2%
Albany
134
St. Paul
93.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$84,200
$4,200 more needed in St. Paul

Formula: salary × (104.8 ÷ 99.6) = salary × 1.0522. 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×

St. Paul, MN

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
111.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

St. Paul has 9.0% higher housing costs compared to Albany.

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

St. Paul, MN

Median Household Income
$95,100
Per Capita Income
$54,200
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
311,527
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceEducationGovernmentManufacturing

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)

St. Paul, MN
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.