Albany, MN vs Shorewood, MN

The cost of living difference between Albany, MN and Shorewood, MN is dramatic. Albany is 56.9% cheaper than Shorewood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Albany has a cost index of 67 while Shorewood sits at 156, 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 $579/month compared to $2,099/month in Shorewood — a 72% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Albany is more affordable at $226,000 median vs $684,500.

Median household income in Albany is $75,417 compared to $172,325 in Shorewood (-56.2%). The higher salaries in Shorewood 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 14.6% in Shorewood.