Albany, IL vs Carbon Cliff, IL

Albany, IL and Carbon Cliff, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Albany scores 68 while Carbon Cliff scores 71 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Albany is $721/month compared to $972/month in Carbon Cliff — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Albany has cheaper rent, Carbon Cliff actually has lower median home values ($124,600 vs $147,800).

Median household income in Albany is $68,750 compared to $55,000 in Carbon Cliff (+25%). Albany offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Albany spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, less than the 21.2% in Carbon Cliff.