Albany, NY vs Hicksville, NY

The cost of living difference between Albany, NY and Hicksville, NY is dramatic. Albany is 51.2% cheaper than Hicksville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Albany has a cost index of 88 while Hicksville sits at 181, 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 $1,178/month compared to $3,005/month in Hicksville — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Albany is more affordable at $223,000 median vs $617,100.

Median household income in Albany is $59,485 compared to $148,008 in Hicksville (-59.8%). While Hicksville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Albany spend roughly 23.8% of their income on rent, less than the 24.4% in Hicksville.

Climate-wise, Hicksville is notably warmer with an average of 53.4°F compared to 49.4°F in Albany. Albany receives more rainfall at 40.7" per year compared to 38.3" in Hicksville.