Albany, NY Scores a 96 and Lists Under $460,000. Here Is the Data.

Albany scores 96 out of 100. That puts it in the top tier of any market we track, just two points behind Buffalo. If you have been watching New York State for undervalued opportunities, Albany deserves your attention.

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Why Albany Scores 96

The Albany-Schenectady-Troy metro has the fundamentals that produce a high PropertyIQ Score: tight inventory, rising values, strong demand, and an employment base that does not rely on one employer or sector.

Home values are rising. The Zillow home value index sits at $350,212 as of January 31, 2026 -- up 3.48% year-over-year and up 4.55% month-over-month as of February 2026. That month-over-month figure signals accelerating demand heading into spring.

Inventory is constrained. Only 985 homes were for sale in February 2026, with 486 new listings -- down 6.5% from a year earlier. Fewer sellers entering the market, more buyers competing. That imbalance supports prices.

Homes are selling at list or above. The sale-to-list ratio is 100.3% as of November 2025. Only 7% of listings took a price cut in February 2026 -- one of the lowest rates in any market we track.

Income supports the market. Median household income is $86,072 (Census, 2023). The estimated income needed to buy at current prices is $122,240. That gap is real but far more manageable than what you see in coastal markets where it stretches to $200,000+.

Unemployment is low. Albany unemployment was 3.4% as of November 2025, below the national average.

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Key Market Data (as of February 28, 2026 unless noted)

• PropertyIQ Score: 96/100
• Median home value: $350,212 (Zillow, Jan 31, 2026)
• Median listing price: $459,900 (Realtor.com, Feb 2026)
• Year-over-year price change: +3.5%
• Days on market: 74
• For-sale inventory: 985 homes
• Inventory change YoY: +4.3%
• Rent index: $1,602/mo (Zillow, Dec 2025)
• Unemployment: 3.4% (Nov 2025)
• Median household income: $86,072 (Census, 2023)
• Overvaluation: +16.1%
• 5-year home value change: +25.4%
• Zillow price forecast: +2.6% (12-month, Dec 2025)

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What This Means for Investors

Albany is a stability story with upside. Prices have appreciated 25% over five years, are modestly overvalued at 16%, and show no sign of the inventory glut that is dragging down Sun Belt markets right now.

At $350K median value and $1,602/mo in rent, the gross rent multiplier is approximately 18x -- solid for a Northeast market with this level of score and employment stability.

For homebuyers comparing options in the Northeast, Albany offers a median price roughly $200,000 below the national coastal average with a strong employment base and rising values.

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