Valdosta, GA vs Albany, GA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Albany, GA and Valdosta, GA are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Valdosta works out to about $74,500 in Albany, before taxes.
- Housing is 7.0% lower in Albany, goods 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,077 a month in Albany and $1,329 in Valdosta, $3,024 a year less in Albany (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $168,000 in Albany and $224,000 in Valdosta.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Albany was 3.6% less expensive than Valdosta.
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.
Overall prices are about the same in Valdosta and Albany
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Valdosta, GA
- Albany, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Valdosta, GA | Albany, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.3 | 87.7 |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 58.8 | 54.6 |
| Utilities | 87.8 | 88.3 |
| Other services | 98.7 | 98.7 |
| Category | Valdosta | Albany | Albany vs Valdosta |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.3 | 87.7 | −0.7% |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.3 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 58.8 | 54.6 | −7.0% |
| Utilities | 87.8 | 88.3 | +0.5% |
| Other services | 98.7 | 98.7 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,329 | $1,077 | −19.0% |
| Typical home value | $224,000 | $168,000 | −25.1% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Valdosta | $75,000 | $74,500 | −0.7% |
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 Valdosta and Albany has narrowed since 2008: 2.3 points then, 0.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Valdosta, GA
- Albany, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Valdosta, GA | Albany, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 88.8 | 86.5 |
| 2009 | 85.8 | 85.6 |
| 2010 | 88.4 | 87.3 |
| 2011 | 85.7 | 87.7 |
| 2012 | 88.7 | 87.4 |
| 2013 | 87.4 | 88.1 |
| 2014 | 88.1 | 88.5 |
| 2015 | 86.4 | 88.0 |
| 2016 | 87.2 | 89.3 |
| 2017 | 85.8 | 87.3 |
| 2018 | 86.9 | 86.5 |
| 2019 | 87.3 | 84.2 |
| 2020 | 84.9 | 83.8 |
| 2021 | 88.2 | 89.3 |
| 2022 | 89.6 | 86.1 |
| 2023 | 86.8 | 86.5 |
| 2024 | 88.3 | 87.7 |
Goods
- Valdosta, GA
- Albany, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Valdosta, GA | Albany, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.0 | 96.8 |
| 2009 | 91.1 | 94.6 |
| 2010 | 96.2 | 96.6 |
| 2011 | 94.2 | 96.1 |
| 2012 | 90.8 | 95.6 |
| 2013 | 93.2 | 96.1 |
| 2014 | 91.5 | 96.0 |
| 2015 | 90.9 | 95.3 |
| 2016 | 92.3 | 96.1 |
| 2017 | 91.6 | 95.7 |
| 2018 | 95.6 | 95.6 |
| 2019 | 95.4 | 95.4 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 95.8 | 95.8 |
| 2022 | 95.0 | 95.0 |
| 2023 | 96.3 | 96.3 |
| 2024 | 96.3 | 96.3 |
Housing (rents)
- Valdosta, GA
- Albany, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Valdosta, GA | Albany, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 69.5 | 50.7 |
| 2009 | 66.8 | 53.2 |
| 2010 | 68.2 | 52.9 |
| 2011 | 57.6 | 53.8 |
| 2012 | 65.4 | 52.2 |
| 2013 | 58.7 | 54.8 |
| 2014 | 60.3 | 53.8 |
| 2015 | 58.4 | 52.9 |
| 2016 | 59.7 | 54.1 |
| 2017 | 57.6 | 52.0 |
| 2018 | 54.8 | 51.3 |
| 2019 | 57.9 | 48.0 |
| 2020 | 54.1 | 50.0 |
| 2021 | 58.6 | 56.5 |
| 2022 | 62.4 | 50.4 |
| 2023 | 51.8 | 50.0 |
| 2024 | 58.8 | 54.6 |
Utilities
- Valdosta, GA
- Albany, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Valdosta, GA | Albany, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 81.8 | 86.5 |
| 2009 | 80.1 | 86.5 |
| 2010 | 81.8 | 88.0 |
| 2011 | 87.2 | 92.6 |
| 2012 | 91.5 | 92.7 |
| 2013 | 90.5 | 92.5 |
| 2014 | 92.9 | 93.0 |
| 2015 | 93.5 | 91.7 |
| 2016 | 93.0 | 90.6 |
| 2017 | 94.0 | 89.6 |
| 2018 | 87.4 | 87.9 |
| 2019 | 89.3 | 90.0 |
| 2020 | 89.7 | 91.1 |
| 2021 | 88.5 | 89.9 |
| 2022 | 90.3 | 90.1 |
| 2023 | 85.2 | 85.6 |
| 2024 | 87.8 | 88.3 |
Other services
- Valdosta, GA
- Albany, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Valdosta, GA | Albany, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.2 | 97.7 |
| 2009 | 92.0 | 97.0 |
| 2010 | 93.5 | 98.8 |
| 2011 | 94.4 | 99.9 |
| 2012 | 97.9 | 100.5 |
| 2013 | 97.5 | 100.0 |
| 2014 | 98.4 | 99.9 |
| 2015 | 97.5 | 100.3 |
| 2016 | 96.1 | 101.3 |
| 2017 | 94.5 | 99.4 |
| 2018 | 97.5 | 97.5 |
| 2019 | 95.6 | 95.6 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 99.4 | 99.4 |
| 2022 | 99.5 | 99.5 |
| 2023 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2024 | 98.7 | 98.7 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,077 in Albany vs $1,329 in Valdosta
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Valdosta, GA
- Albany, GA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Valdosta, GA | Albany, GA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $624 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $630 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $624 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $632 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $637 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $637 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $650 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $657 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $671 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $671 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $683 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $698 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $706 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $857 | $725 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $873 | $751 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $880 | $742 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $888 | $776 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $909 | $818 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $982 | $833 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,050 | $874 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,058 | $886 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,105 | $924 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,108 | $930 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,096 | $923 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,102 | $929 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,127 | $957 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,140 | $961 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,153 | $988 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,168 | $986 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,191 | $1,007 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,201 | $1,020 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,235 | $1,000 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,257 | $1,002 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,277 | $1,042 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,282 | $1,036 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,300 | $1,061 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,309 | $1,070 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,307 | $1,049 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,329 | $1,077 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $168,000 in Albany vs $224,000 in Valdosta
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Valdosta, GA
- Albany, GA
- 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
| Valdosta, GA | Albany, GA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $122K | $94K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $122K | $95K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $123K | $96K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $124K | $96K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $124K | $96K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $123K | $95K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $122K | $93K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $122K | $93K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $121K | $91K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $121K | $91K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $122K | $92K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $123K | $94K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $125K | $97K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $127K | $98K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $128K | $99K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $129K | $100K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $132K | $101K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $134K | $102K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $135K | $104K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $137K | $105K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $139K | $107K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $142K | $110K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $145K | $112K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $150K | $117K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $155K | $120K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $161K | $124K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $168K | $128K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $175K | $133K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $182K | $141K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $189K | $145K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $193K | $150K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $194K | $151K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $195K | $150K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $201K | $154K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $202K | $156K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $203K | $158K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $206K | $160K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $210K | $165K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $212K | $166K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $213K | $165K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $215K | $165K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $215K | $162K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $215K | $161K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $218K | $162K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $221K | $163K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $223K | $165K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $224K | $168K | $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.