Albany, IN vs Shirley, IN

Albany, IN and Shirley, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Albany scores 60 while Shirley scores 57 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 $669/month compared to $513/month in Shirley — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shirley has cheaper rent, Albany actually has lower median home values ($103,600 vs $103,700).

Median household income in Albany is $56,356 compared to $66,429 in Shirley (-15.2%). Shirley 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 14.2% of their income on rent, more than the 9.3% in Shirley.