Albany, CA vs Lake Mathews, CA

The cost of living difference between Albany, CA and Lake Mathews, CA is dramatic. Lake Mathews is 39.8% cheaper than Albany, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Albany has a cost index of 211 while Lake Mathews sits at 151, 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 $1,906/month in Lake Mathews — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake Mathews is more affordable at $678,300 median vs $1,188,600.

Median household income in Albany is $135,927 compared to $102,700 in Lake Mathews (+32.4%). The higher salaries in Albany partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Albany spend roughly 21.1% of their income on rent, less than the 22.3% in Lake Mathews.