Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Boise?

Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Boise?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $45,000 in Boise.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Boise?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Boise Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $81,308 in Boise, ID — about 19% higher in Boise, ID. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Boise, ID

Rent

Studio

$797

$1,021

+28% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,133

+27% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,342

+18% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,749

+20% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$456,000

+71% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$81,308

+24% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$49,100

+2% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

38.2 yr

+0.5 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

63.0%

+1.5 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

46.6%

+7.9 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

22.2 min

19.1 min

+3.1 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

301

+75% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

1,135.1

+76% 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

52.5°F

+4.7°F in Albuquerque, NM

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

11.7 in

+2.3 in in Boise, ID

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.29/gal

+18% in Boise, ID

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

12.3

+13% in Albuquerque, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$10.82

+9% in Albuquerque, NM

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / ID)

4.875%

+1.1 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

5.30%

+0.6 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Boise — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Boise?: Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Boise?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $45,000 in Boise.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Boise?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).