Albany, New York
In Albany, New York, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.98 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.08 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,611, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Albany's cost-of-living index of 108 puts it above the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.98
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,611
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$16.52
Combo meal
Electricity
28.37¢
per kWh · ~$255/mo
Car Insurance
$248/mo
$2,980/yr
Median Household Income
$83,149
32.9% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $2,980 in Albany. Compare rates:
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Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Albany residents actually pay.
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Avg rent $1,611/mo in Albany. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$5.03 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$8.30 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$7.20 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$2.12 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$5.45 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$12.30 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$5.39 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.56 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$5.37 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.92 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.31 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$8.20 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$5.37 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$6.59 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$9.24 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.16 | $5.03 | +20.9% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.44 | $8.30 | +28.9% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.93 | $7.20 | +21.4% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.61 | $2.12 | +31.7% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.29 | $5.45 | +27.0% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $8.60 | $12.30 | +43.0% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.88 | $5.39 | +38.9% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.05 | $4.56 | +12.6% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.69 | $5.37 | +14.5% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.32 | $2.92 | +25.9% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.82 | $2.31 | +26.9% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.79 | $8.20 | +41.6% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.33 | $5.37 | +24.0% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.05 | $6.59 | +30.5% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $6.59 | $9.24 | +40.2% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$16.52
Casual Dining
$31.75
Monthly Spend
$489.14
+3.75% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $10.24
$16.52
+61.3%Wendy's
2022: $11.56
$17.84
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $12.39
$18.50
+49.3%Starbucks
2022: $5.23
$7.26
+38.8%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Albany?
Average 1BR: $1,321/mo · 2BR: $1,901/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
233k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,584
$82k/yr
Top Sector
Education & Health Services
Household vs Worker Pay
$83k
household median
Employment by Sector — Albany
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$70k/yr
~$58k/yr
~$87k/yr
~$31k/yr
~$111k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 36001
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$2,144/wk · $111k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$592/wk · $31k/yr
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