Albany, MN vs Hilltop, MN

Albany is moderately more affordable than Hilltop, with a 6% lower cost of living index. Albany scores 67 compared to 72 for Hilltop, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hilltop can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Albany is $579/month compared to $1,092/month in Hilltop — a 47% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Albany has cheaper rent, Hilltop actually has lower median home values ($24,600 vs $226,000).

Median household income in Albany is $75,417 compared to $47,708 in Hilltop (+58.1%). 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 9.2% of their income on rent, less than the 27.5% in Hilltop.