Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Burlington?

Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $51,000 in Burlington.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Burlington?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Burlington Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

Burlington

Vermont

$1,530/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 $1,530 in Burlington, VT. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $68,854 in Burlington, VT — about 5% higher in Burlington, VT. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio

$797

$1,284

+61% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,275

+43% in Burlington, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,731

+52% in Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$2,002

+37% in Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$400,200

+50% in Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$68,854

+5% in Burlington, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$60,020

+25% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

26.7 yr

+12.0 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

39.8%

+21.7 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

60.5%

+21.8 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

22.2 min

19.2 min

+3.0 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

497.1

+58% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

4,408.9

+8% 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

46.0°F

+11.2°F in Albuquerque, NM

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

36.8 in

+27.4 in in Burlington, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Burlington, VT

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

24.9

+76% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$20.31

+71% in Burlington, VT

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

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Albuquerque, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Burlington, VT

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 / VT)

4.875%

+1.1 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

8.75%

+2.8 pp in VT

Albuquerque vs Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Burlington?: Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Burlington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $51,000 in Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Burlington?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).