City Comparison
Albany vs Stonecrest
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stonecrest scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Albany
Stonecrest
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albany is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Stonecrest.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albany's average rent is
42% lower than Stonecrest's.
| Metric | Albany | Stonecrest | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,650 | -42% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $240 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,615 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stonecrest offers 25% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Stonecrest 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 Stonecrest.
| Metric | Albany | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $43,500 | $65,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Albany runs warmer on average — a 5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Albany comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Albany sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Albany | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.30°F | 63.30°F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | 87.30°F |
| Winter Low | 41.10°F | 36.20°F |
| Rainfall | 38.10 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | 3.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 232 |
| 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 Stonecrest.
Stonecrest 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 | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albany is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Stonecrest.
From a growth perspective, Stonecrest is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Stonecrest has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Albany | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,634 | 59,194 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 39.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Stonecrest
Advantages
More affordable housing options compared to intown Atlanta and northern metro suburbs per Zillow market data
Proximity to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area providing extensive hiking and outdoor recreation
Strategic location along Interstate 20 offering direct access to the wider Atlanta employment market
Growing commercial retail and dining amenities centered around the Mall at Stonecrest district
Active municipal leadership focused on economic development and community-driven urban planning
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit options connecting to regional rail networks
Traffic congestion along major commercial corridors like Turner Hill Road during peak commute hours
Property tax rates reflective of DeKalb County municipal structures
Limited high-density nightlife and entertainment options directly within city limits compared to central Atlanta
Relying on neighboring cities for major tertiary and quaternary hospital facilities
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
Stonecrest
#337Georgia, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
232/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
69
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