Living Cost Compare
Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

vs
Billings

Montana

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Albuquerque, NM versus $1,030 in Billings, MT. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $71,855 in Billings, MT — about 9% higher in Billings, MT. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM
Billings, MT

Rent

Studio
$797
$877
+10% in Billings, MT
1 Bedroom
$889
$889
about equal
2 Bedroom
$1,140
$1,102
+3% in Albuquerque, NM
3 Bedroom
$1,459
$1,398
+4% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$266,700
$311,800
+17% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income
$65,604
$71,855
+10% in Billings, MT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,060
$49,060
+2% in Billings, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.7 yr
38.1 yr
+0.6 yr in Albuquerque, NM
Homeownership
61.5%
64.8%
+3.3 pp in Billings, MT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
38.7%
37.0%
+1.7 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Avg Commute
22.2 min
16.7 min
+5.5 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,194.3
750.2
+37% in Albuquerque, NM
Property Crime
4,766.6
3,123.5
+34% in Albuquerque, NM

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
57.2°F
48.2°F
+9.0°F in Albuquerque, NM
Annual Precipitation
9.4 in
13.7 in
+4.2 in in Billings, MT

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$4.29/gal
+18% in Billings, MT

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
Free
—

Adult base one-way fare — ABQ RIDE vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
14.7
+4% in Billings, MT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.90
$8.77
+26% in Albuquerque, NM

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.82
about equal
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$2.04
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$7.36
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.01
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.70
about equal

Average prices — West vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / MT)
4.875%
None
+4.9 pp in NM
Income Tax (top rate)
5.90%
5.65%
+0.3 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Billings — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Billings?
They're close. Albuquerque, NM runs about $1,030 a month and Billings, MT about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Billings?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $36,000 in Billings.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Billings?
Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Billings under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).