Albany, MN vs Nicollet, MN

Albany is moderately more affordable than Nicollet, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Albany scores 67 compared to 74 for Nicollet, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Nicollet 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 $862/month in Nicollet — a 33% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Albany has cheaper rent, Nicollet actually has lower median home values ($214,100 vs $226,000).

Median household income in Albany is $75,417 compared to $80,500 in Nicollet (-6.3%). The higher salaries in Nicollet partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Albany spend roughly 9.2% of their income on rent, less than the 12.8% in Nicollet.