ZIP Code · NY

ZIP 12205

Part of Albany, NY

Pop. 25,838·Albany County·242nd most expensive ZIP in New York

Median rent (all units)

$1,800/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

-10.0%

vs US Median

-$132

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 12205 · $1,800

More affordable than 51% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,350

1 BR

$1,570

2 BR

$1,890

3 BR

$2,270

4 BR+

$2,500

Research median

$1,890/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($91,020) is $2,276 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,270); a 4-bedroom is $2,500.

Rank in Albany

8th cheapest of 8 ZIP codes in Albany.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 12303, 4 miles away, rents for 24% less ($1,371/mo), about $5,100 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 12205. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$21,600/yr

At $1,800/mo median

Location

CityAlbany

StateNY

CountyAlbany County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -10.0% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 12205 (Albany, NY) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 38% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

25,838

Median income

$91,020

Median age

43.6

Renters

28.6%

Age distribution

18.4%

21.6%

23.4%

13.7%

22.9%

Under 1818.4%

18–3421.6%

35–5423.4%

55–6413.7%

65+22.9%

Gender

47.6%

52.4%

Male47.6%

Female52.4%

Race & ethnicity

75.2%

White75.2%

Black8%

Hispanic3.3%

Asian9.3%

Other4.3%

Education (25+)

25.9%

29.6%

38%

No HS diploma6.5%

HS diploma25.9%

Some college29.6%

Bachelor's+38%

Housing tenure

71.4%

28.6%

Owner71.4%

Renter28.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 12205 in Albany, NY has changed in 5 years

Income

$83,103 → $91,020

up 9.5%

Population

26,255 → 25,838

down 1.6%

Renter share

28.6% → 28.6%

+0.0 pts

Bachelor's+

35.2% → 38%

+2.8 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $83,103 in 2021 to $91,020 more recently. The population has contracted by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 26,255 residents to roughly 25,838. College-educated residents now make up 38% of adults here, versus 35.2% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 12205

About renting in ZIP 12205

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 12205 covers Albany, NY. The median rent here is $1,800/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,570/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,890/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($91,020/yr), ZIP 12205 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 12205?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $72,000/year (about $35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,800/mo in ZIP 12205. The local median household income is $91,020/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.