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Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Cost of living in Albany County, NY

Part of the Albany Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,443/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 315,374 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,230 36%
Federal tax $612 18%
Healthcare $480 14%
Groceries $404 12%
Transport $250 7%
Energy $208 6%
State tax $204 6%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Albany County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,074
per month
1 bedroom
$1,230
per month
2 bedroom
$1,487
per month
3 bedroom
$1,792
per month
4 bedroom
$1,971
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Albany County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$83,149
per year
Individual earnings
$47,461
per year
Per capita
$46,231
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Albany County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$277,400
Annual property tax
$5,253

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Albany County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$140
per month · 23.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$68
per month
Annual total
$2,496
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Albany County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.0%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Albany County

State and local tax rates for New York.

State income tax
10.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
8.5%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Albany County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.3 min
Drive alone
67.6%
Public transit
4.3%
Work from home
13.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Albany County

What it costs to live in Albany County each month.

Single person
$3,443
per month
  • Rent $1,230
  • Energy $208
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $404
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $612
  • State tax $204
Couple
$5,084
per month
  • Rent $1,487
  • Energy $250
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $669
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,031
  • State tax $368
Family
$7,594
per month
  • Rent $1,792
  • Energy $312
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $1,016
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,031
  • State tax $368

Frequently asked questions about Albany County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Albany County?

In Albany County, NY, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,230 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,487 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,792 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Albany County?

In Albany County, NY, the average household income is $83,149 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $47,461 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Albany County?

The estimated cost of living in Albany County, NY is approximately $3,443 per month for a single person, $5,084 for a couple, $7,594 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Albany County?

The combined sales tax rate in Albany County, NY is 8.52%, which includes the New York state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 4.52%.

Is Albany County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Albany County, NY would need approximately $3,443 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $83,149 per year ($6,929 per month). Albany County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Albany County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Albany County, NY is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Albany County?

The average home value in Albany County, NY is $277,400, with average annual property taxes of $5,253, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Albany County compare to other areas?

You can compare Albany County, NY with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Albany County is in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area.

Other counties in New York

Browse the full list of counties in New York, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in New York

Compare Albany County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources