Living Cost Compare
Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

vs
Bridgeport

Connecticut

$1,460/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 $1,460 in Bridgeport, CT. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bridgeport, CT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $56,584 in Bridgeport, CT — about 14% higher in Albuquerque, NM. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM
Bridgeport, CT

Rent

Studio
$797
$950
+19% in Bridgeport, CT
1 Bedroom
$889
$1,181
+33% in Bridgeport, CT
2 Bedroom
$1,140
$1,508
+32% in Bridgeport, CT
3 Bedroom
$1,459
$1,639
+12% in Bridgeport, CT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$266,700
$252,400
+5% in Albuquerque, NM

Income

Median Household Income
$65,604
$56,584
+14% in Albuquerque, NM
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,060
$61,470
+28% in Bridgeport, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.7 yr
36.4 yr
+2.3 yr in Albuquerque, NM
Homeownership
61.5%
43.3%
+18.2 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Bachelor's+ (25+)
38.7%
23.1%
+15.6 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Avg Commute
22.2 min
29.9 min
+7.7 min in Bridgeport, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,194.3
401.7
+66% in Albuquerque, NM
Property Crime
4,766.6
1,478.4
+69% 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
42.7 in
+33.3 in in Bridgeport, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.86/gal
+7% in Bridgeport, CT

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
Free
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
27.4
+94% in Bridgeport, CT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.90
$23.33
+96% in Bridgeport, CT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.31
+10% in Albuquerque, NM
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.92
+6% in Albuquerque, NM
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.90
+6% in Albuquerque, NM
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.19
+9% in Bridgeport, CT
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.69
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / CT)
4.875%
6.35%
+1.5 pp in CT
Income Tax (top rate)
5.90%
6.99%
+1.1 pp in CT

Albuquerque vs Bridgeport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Bridgeport?
Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Bridgeport, CT's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Bridgeport?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $47,000 in Bridgeport.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Bridgeport?
Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Bridgeport under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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).