Is Albuquerque expensive to live in?

Albuquerque is among the more affordable of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $889 per month ranks #46 of 50 and is 27% lower than the $1,223 median.

What is the average rent in Albuquerque?

Average rent in Albuquerque, NM runs a studio around $797, a one-bedroom around $889, a two-bedroom around $1,140, a three-bedroom around $1,459 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $889 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year. The median household income here is $65,604.

How much does it cost to live in Albuquerque per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Albuquerque is about $1,040 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

City skyline under blue sky during daytime — Albuquerque, NM

Cost of Living in Albuquerque, NM

Population 560,513 · New Mexico

~$1,040/mo est.1BR $889Home $266,700

Photo: Gabriel Griego / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Albuquerque, NM is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $889 a month — 27% lower than the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $797 and two-bedrooms $1,140.

Median household income here is $65,604, 14% lower than the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,040 before food and transport. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $889

Studio

$797

1 Bedroom

$889

2 Bedroom

$1,140

3 Bedroom

$1,459

Buying a Home$266,700

Median Home Value

$266,700

Income$65,604

Median Household Income

$65,604

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesWest

Milk (gal)

$4.37

Bread (lb)

$2.10

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities14.8¢/kWh

Electricity

14.8¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$11.90/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.99/gal

Regular Gasoline (Gulf Coast (PADD 3))

$3.99/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.

Public TransitFree

Base Fare (ABQ RIDE)

Free

Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026). Zero-fare since 2023.

State Taxes (NM)4.875% sales

State Sales Tax

4.88%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 5.90%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime1,193.2 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,193.2

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

4,766.2

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Albuquerque Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 38.7 yrs

Median Age

38.7 yrs

Homeownership

61.5%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Climate57.2°F

Avg Annual Temperature

57.2°F

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

Albuquerque cost of living — FAQ

Is Albuquerque expensive to live in?: Albuquerque is among the more affordable of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $889 per month ranks #46 of 50 and is 27% lower than the $1,223 median.
What is the average rent in Albuquerque?: Average rent in Albuquerque, NM runs a studio around $797, a one-bedroom around $889, a two-bedroom around $1,140, a three-bedroom around $1,459 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $889 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year. The median household income here is $65,604.
How much does it cost to live in Albuquerque per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Albuquerque is about $1,040 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Albuquerque with nearby cities

Albuquerque vs El Paso Albuquerque vs Colorado Springs Albuquerque vs Mesa Albuquerque vs Tucson Albuquerque vs Phoenix Albuquerque vs Denver

Nearby cities

El Paso, TX 230 mi Colorado Springs, CO 278 mi Mesa, AZ 318 mi Tucson, AZ 318 mi Phoenix, AZ 330 mi Denver, CO 334 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.