Albany, NY vs Kingston, NY: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Kingston, NY is 1.1% more expensive than Albany, NY (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Albany works out to about $75,900 in Kingston, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 7.4% more in Kingston. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $2,015 a month in Kingston and $1,693 in Albany, $3,864 a year more in Kingston (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $452,000 in Kingston and $373,000 in Albany.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (2.1%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 7.4% higher in Kingston than in Albany
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Albany, NY
- Kingston, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Albany, NY | Kingston, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 99.6 | 100.7 |
| Goods | 99.7 | 99.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 102.6 | 110.2 |
| Utilities | 134.0 | 133.6 |
| Other services | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| Category | Albany | Kingston | Kingston vs Albany |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 99.6 | 100.7 | +1.1% |
| Goods | 99.7 | 99.7 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 102.6 | 110.2 | +7.4% |
| Utilities | 134.0 | 133.6 | −0.3% |
| Other services | 97.8 | 97.8 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,693 | $2,015 | +19.0% |
| Typical home value | $373,000 | $452,000 | +21.1% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Albany | $75,000 | $75,900 | +1.1% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Albany and Kingston has narrowed since 2008: 4.7 points then, 1.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Albany, NY
- Kingston, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Albany, NY | Kingston, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.4 | 107.1 |
| 2009 | 101.8 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 99.6 | 102.6 |
| 2011 | 100.6 | 101.5 |
| 2012 | 99.5 | 102.0 |
| 2013 | 101.6 | 103.5 |
| 2014 | 99.2 | 102.3 |
| 2015 | 100.6 | 102.4 |
| 2016 | 101.1 | 101.2 |
| 2017 | 100.6 | 102.9 |
| 2018 | 99.9 | 100.9 |
| 2019 | 99.4 | 101.6 |
| 2020 | 99.0 | 101.6 |
| 2021 | 99.0 | 99.9 |
| 2022 | 96.6 | 99.3 |
| 2023 | 98.2 | 99.6 |
| 2024 | 99.6 | 100.7 |
Goods
- Albany, NY
- Kingston, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Albany, NY | Kingston, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.3 | 101.3 |
| 2009 | 101.5 | 101.5 |
| 2010 | 98.3 | 98.3 |
| 2011 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2012 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2013 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2014 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2015 | 98.7 | 98.7 |
| 2016 | 98.1 | 98.1 |
| 2017 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2018 | 100.1 | 100.1 |
| 2019 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2020 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2021 | 95.4 | 95.4 |
| 2022 | 96.4 | 96.4 |
| 2023 | 97.4 | 97.4 |
| 2024 | 99.7 | 99.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Albany, NY
- Kingston, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Albany, NY | Kingston, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 104.6 | 139.0 |
| 2009 | 101.2 | 115.3 |
| 2010 | 96.8 | 115.9 |
| 2011 | 106.4 | 111.2 |
| 2012 | 100.5 | 118.2 |
| 2013 | 108.5 | 119.4 |
| 2014 | 105.0 | 125.7 |
| 2015 | 98.8 | 109.6 |
| 2016 | 101.9 | 102.2 |
| 2017 | 94.3 | 109.7 |
| 2018 | 101.5 | 107.9 |
| 2019 | 104.6 | 117.7 |
| 2020 | 95.7 | 112.3 |
| 2021 | 100.2 | 107.3 |
| 2022 | 92.4 | 110.8 |
| 2023 | 92.8 | 101.4 |
| 2024 | 102.6 | 110.2 |
Utilities
- Albany, NY
- Kingston, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Albany, NY | Kingston, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 143.3 | 146.2 |
| 2009 | 141.7 | 142.9 |
| 2010 | 140.5 | 142.3 |
| 2011 | 138.0 | 140.3 |
| 2012 | 131.0 | 133.3 |
| 2013 | 135.2 | 137.0 |
| 2014 | 136.2 | 136.7 |
| 2015 | 126.3 | 128.9 |
| 2016 | 125.4 | 125.8 |
| 2017 | 128.1 | 128.1 |
| 2018 | 135.2 | 134.4 |
| 2019 | 132.4 | 131.9 |
| 2020 | 132.4 | 133.0 |
| 2021 | 133.3 | 132.5 |
| 2022 | 132.8 | 132.0 |
| 2023 | 131.8 | 131.6 |
| 2024 | 134.0 | 133.6 |
Other services
- Albany, NY
- Kingston, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Albany, NY | Kingston, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.7 | 100.7 |
| 2009 | 100.6 | 100.6 |
| 2010 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| 2011 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2012 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| 2013 | 101.4 | 101.4 |
| 2014 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2015 | 101.2 | 101.2 |
| 2016 | 101.7 | 101.7 |
| 2017 | 102.7 | 102.7 |
| 2018 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2019 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2020 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2021 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| 2022 | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| 2023 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2024 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,015 in Kingston vs $1,693 in Albany
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Albany, NY
- Kingston, NY
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Albany, NY | Kingston, NY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,036 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,033 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,055 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,040 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,063 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,071 | $1,049 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,085 | $1,011 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,068 | $993 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,086 | $1,078 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,103 | $1,159 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,100 | $1,125 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,103 | $1,123 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,132 | $1,084 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,139 | $1,211 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,138 | $1,231 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,133 | $1,142 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,154 | $1,222 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,177 | $1,239 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,155 | $1,238 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,170 | $1,248 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,195 | $1,297 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,199 | $1,328 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,214 | $1,416 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,231 | $1,493 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,249 | $1,469 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,294 | $1,581 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,320 | $1,626 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,333 | $1,658 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,364 | $1,729 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,410 | $1,768 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,433 | $1,741 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,427 | $1,721 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,440 | $1,762 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,474 | $1,794 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,491 | $1,780 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,475 | $1,760 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,516 | $1,823 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,543 | $1,852 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,553 | $1,883 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,555 | $1,858 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,576 | $1,872 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,607 | $1,917 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,617 | $1,930 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,620 | $1,914 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,643 | $1,949 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,681 | $2,015 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,693 | $2,015 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $452,000 in Kingston vs $373,000 in Albany
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Albany, NY
- Kingston, NY
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Albany, NY | Kingston, NY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $204K | $198K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $206K | $199K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $207K | $203K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $208K | $204K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $209K | $203K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $210K | $204K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $211K | $207K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $213K | $208K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $214K | $210K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $217K | $213K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $220K | $217K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $222K | $221K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $225K | $223K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $228K | $227K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $231K | $234K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $231K | $235K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $234K | $235K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $236K | $237K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $238K | $242K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $241K | $245K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $243K | $249K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $245K | $252K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $250K | $261K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $259K | $285K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $267K | $307K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $277K | $327K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $283K | $336K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $286K | $339K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $294K | $356K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $305K | $377K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $310K | $379K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $310K | $377K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $311K | $379K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $317K | $384K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $323K | $396K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $326K | $402K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $331K | $408K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $338K | $420K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $343K | $428K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $345K | $432K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $348K | $431K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $351K | $433K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $355K | $436K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $358K | $439K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $364K | $441K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $370K | $447K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $373K | $452K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.