City Comparison
Albany vs South Fulton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
South Fulton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Albany
South Fulton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albany is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in South Fulton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albany's average rent is
39% lower than South Fulton's.
| Metric | Albany | South Fulton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,550 | -39% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $240 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,515 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
South Fulton offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, South Fulton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Albany is estimated at
$42,000 vs $52,000 in South Fulton.
| Metric | Albany | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 60,417 idx |
| Household Income | $43,500 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Albany runs warmer on average — a 5.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Albany comes out ahead with 15 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Albany sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Albany | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.30°F | 63.00°F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | 86.70°F |
| Winter Low | 41.10°F | 35.30°F |
| Rainfall | 38.10 in | 47.60 in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | 2.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 235 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albany has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to South Fulton.
South Fulton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albany leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Albany | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
South Fulton is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Albany.
From a growth perspective, South Fulton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, South Fulton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Albany | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,634 | 107,436 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Albany
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Phoebe Putney Health System provides advanced medical care and serves as a major regional healthcare hub.
Abundant outdoor recreational assets include the Flint River, Radium Springs Gardens, and Chehaw Park and Zoo.
Rich cultural and historical heritage anchored by the Albany Civil Rights Institute and Ray Charles Plaza.
Short average commute times compared to major metropolitan traffic centers.
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates exceed national medians per FBI crime data summaries.
Local median household incomes lag behind national benchmarks, limiting higher wage growth.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Hot and humid summer climate conditions can be intense for residents sensitive to high temperatures.
Slower commercial retail diversification compared to larger growing Georgia urban centers.
South Fulton
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain more affordable than in northern Atlanta suburbs per Zillow (2024)
Strategic proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport drives strong logistics and employment opportunities
Abundant suburban space and large residential lots offer room for families to grow
Rapidly developing commercial corridors bring new dining, retail, and entertainment options locally
Active community engagement and municipal leadership focused on sustainable local growth
Drawbacks
High car dependency and limited public transit options outside of major bus corridors
Commuting during peak hours along major arteries like I-85 and South Fulton Parkway can experience significant congestion
Property crime rates in certain commercial and residential pockets exceed national averages per FBI crime data
Walkability scores are generally low, requiring driving for most daily errands
Rapid development puts pressure on local infrastructure and traffic management
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Albany
#522Georgia, USA
51.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
68.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
63
Business
58
South Fulton
#360Georgia, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
235/yr
Avg Temp
63.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
72
Business
68
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