Anchorage, AK vs Albany, OR: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Albany, OR is 3.1% less expensive than Anchorage, AK (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Anchorage works out to about $72,600 in Albany, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 1.9% lower and other services 2.9% lower in Albany, while housing is 8.0% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,635 a month in Albany and $1,890 in Anchorage, $3,060 a year less in Albany (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $408,000 in Albany and $425,000 in Anchorage.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.7%).
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.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between Anchorage and Albany
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Anchorage, AK
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Anchorage, AK | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.4 | 102.1 |
| Goods | 107.3 | 105.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 109.9 | 101.1 |
| Utilities | 111.8 | 104.8 |
| Other services | 103.3 | 100.3 |
| Category | Anchorage | Albany | Albany vs Anchorage |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.4 | 102.1 | −3.1% |
| Goods | 107.3 | 105.3 | −1.9% |
| Housing (rents) | 109.9 | 101.1 | −8.0% |
| Utilities | 111.8 | 104.8 | −6.2% |
| Other services | 103.3 | 100.3 | −2.9% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,890 | $1,635 | −13.5% |
| Typical home value | $425,000 | $408,000 | −3.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Anchorage | $75,000 | $72,600 | −3.1% |
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 Anchorage and Albany has narrowed since 2008: 7.1 points then, 3.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Anchorage, AK
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Anchorage, AK | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 106.5 | 99.3 |
| 2009 | 111.8 | 100.0 |
| 2010 | 106.2 | 97.0 |
| 2011 | 106.7 | 96.2 |
| 2012 | 107.2 | 96.6 |
| 2013 | 106.4 | 96.9 |
| 2014 | 104.9 | 98.8 |
| 2015 | 105.7 | 98.7 |
| 2016 | 108.1 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 107.8 | 98.8 |
| 2018 | 106.4 | 103.2 |
| 2019 | 104.8 | 103.0 |
| 2020 | 103.2 | 102.7 |
| 2021 | 106.8 | 101.9 |
| 2022 | 103.2 | 104.6 |
| 2023 | 106.8 | 104.7 |
| 2024 | 105.4 | 102.1 |
Goods
- Anchorage, AK
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Anchorage, AK | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.1 | 102.3 |
| 2009 | 109.9 | 100.4 |
| 2010 | 107.7 | 99.3 |
| 2011 | 106.9 | 98.3 |
| 2012 | 105.7 | 96.8 |
| 2013 | 104.2 | 95.9 |
| 2014 | 102.6 | 97.7 |
| 2015 | 105.6 | 103.4 |
| 2016 | 109.7 | 104.4 |
| 2017 | 111.0 | 101.2 |
| 2018 | 103.3 | 104.6 |
| 2019 | 98.9 | 104.5 |
| 2020 | 99.7 | 104.6 |
| 2021 | 109.1 | 106.5 |
| 2022 | 104.2 | 109.1 |
| 2023 | 104.5 | 104.8 |
| 2024 | 107.3 | 105.3 |
Housing (rents)
- Anchorage, AK
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Anchorage, AK | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 122.4 | 91.9 |
| 2009 | 148.4 | 104.6 |
| 2010 | 127.3 | 93.1 |
| 2011 | 127.1 | 86.6 |
| 2012 | 137.8 | 95.0 |
| 2013 | 147.3 | 93.5 |
| 2014 | 132.1 | 101.9 |
| 2015 | 135.6 | 91.4 |
| 2016 | 129.6 | 98.4 |
| 2017 | 126.1 | 93.1 |
| 2018 | 117.2 | 102.1 |
| 2019 | 116.0 | 104.9 |
| 2020 | 99.7 | 106.2 |
| 2021 | 113.7 | 101.3 |
| 2022 | 112.8 | 99.0 |
| 2023 | 120.8 | 108.6 |
| 2024 | 109.9 | 101.1 |
Utilities
- Anchorage, AK
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Anchorage, AK | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 86.8 | 72.7 |
| 2009 | 105.8 | 78.1 |
| 2010 | 103.7 | 83.9 |
| 2011 | 105.7 | 89.1 |
| 2012 | 111.9 | 87.7 |
| 2013 | 122.1 | 86.1 |
| 2014 | 109.5 | 87.7 |
| 2015 | 115.7 | 88.7 |
| 2016 | 119.5 | 94.0 |
| 2017 | 120.1 | 89.0 |
| 2018 | 126.9 | 92.3 |
| 2019 | 126.5 | 95.5 |
| 2020 | 123.4 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 109.9 | 97.0 |
| 2022 | 100.7 | 88.7 |
| 2023 | 108.3 | 90.7 |
| 2024 | 111.8 | 104.8 |
Other services
- Anchorage, AK
- Albany, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Anchorage, AK | Albany, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 103.1 | 102.2 |
| 2009 | 105.9 | 99.7 |
| 2010 | 100.9 | 97.9 |
| 2011 | 102.5 | 99.4 |
| 2012 | 101.5 | 97.6 |
| 2013 | 99.3 | 99.7 |
| 2014 | 100.5 | 99.1 |
| 2015 | 99.9 | 99.0 |
| 2016 | 102.5 | 96.0 |
| 2017 | 102.2 | 99.7 |
| 2018 | 105.0 | 103.4 |
| 2019 | 105.0 | 101.8 |
| 2020 | 105.6 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 103.9 | 99.1 |
| 2022 | 100.8 | 104.5 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 104.2 |
| 2024 | 103.3 | 100.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,635 in Albany vs $1,890 in Anchorage
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Anchorage, AK
- Albany, OR
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Anchorage, AK | Albany, OR | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,291 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,298 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,294 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,290 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,286 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,287 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,272 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,255 | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,262 | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,277 | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,263 | – | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,249 | – | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,255 | – | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,288 | – | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,283 | – | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,264 | – | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,278 | – | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,295 | – | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,300 | – | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,280 | – | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,301 | – | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,310 | – | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,330 | – | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,346 | – | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,339 | $1,206 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,386 | $1,239 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,443 | $1,319 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,436 | $1,338 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,478 | $1,413 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,540 | $1,439 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,584 | $1,493 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,578 | $1,508 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,601 | $1,523 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,655 | $1,537 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,683 | $1,550 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,670 | $1,548 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,687 | $1,559 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,730 | $1,567 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,751 | $1,599 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,729 | $1,591 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,766 | $1,603 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,790 | $1,615 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,819 | $1,619 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,811 | $1,621 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,826 | $1,639 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,863 | $1,640 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,890 | $1,635 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $408,000 in Albany vs $425,000 in Anchorage
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Anchorage, AK
- Albany, OR
- 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
| Anchorage, AK | Albany, OR | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $287K | $169K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $290K | $173K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $294K | $178K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $298K | $184K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $297K | $187K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $299K | $193K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $299K | $199K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $299K | $204K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $298K | $209K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $297K | $216K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $299K | $223K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $300K | $230K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $301K | $237K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $300K | $244K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $301K | $250K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $300K | $255K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | – | $260K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $321K | $265K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $324K | $268K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $329K | $271K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $331K | $278K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $327K | $283K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $328K | $290K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $333K | $305K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $335K | $323K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $340K | $340K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $350K | $353K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $354K | $361K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $360K | $378K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $369K | $396K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $371K | $392K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $370K | $386K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $372K | $383K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $378K | $388K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $382K | $392K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $380K | $392K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $383K | $396K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $385K | $401K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $387K | $403K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $392K | $406K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $395K | $409K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $395K | $407K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $402K | $407K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $410K | $409K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $415K | $411K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $420K | $408K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $425K | $408K | $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.