Albany, CA vs Highland, CA

The cost of living difference between Albany, CA and Highland, CA is dramatic. Highland is 73.6% cheaper than Albany, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Albany has a cost index of 211 while Highland sits at 122, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Albany is $2,389/month compared to $1,539/month in Highland — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Highland is more affordable at $455,200 median vs $1,188,600.

Median household income in Albany is $135,927 compared to $77,979 in Highland (+74.3%). While Albany is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Albany spend roughly 21.1% of their income on rent, less than the 23.7% in Highland.