Living Cost Compare
Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,040/mo est.

vs
Casper

Wyoming

$930/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,040 in Albuquerque, NM versus $930 in Casper, WY. Overall, Casper, WY is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $69,171 in Casper, WY — about 5% higher in Casper, WY. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM
Casper, WY

Rent

Studio
$797
$730
+8% in Albuquerque, NM
1 Bedroom
$889
$764
+14% in Albuquerque, NM
2 Bedroom
$1,140
$930
+18% in Albuquerque, NM
3 Bedroom
$1,459
$1,299
+11% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$266,700
$250,700
+6% in Albuquerque, NM

Income

Median Household Income
$65,604
$69,171
+5% in Casper, WY
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,060
$48,880
+2% in Casper, WY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.7 yr
37.0 yr
+1.7 yr in Albuquerque, NM
Homeownership
61.5%
70.3%
+8.8 pp in Casper, WY
Bachelor's+ (25+)
38.7%
30.0%
+8.7 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Avg Commute
22.2 min
16.9 min
+5.3 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,194.3
302.4
+75% in Albuquerque, NM
Property Crime
4,766.6
2,123.8
+55% 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
45.4°F
+11.8°F in Albuquerque, NM
Annual Precipitation
9.4 in
12.5 in
+3.1 in in Casper, WY

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$4.27/gal
+18% in Casper, WY

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)
15.1
15.2
+1% in Casper, WY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$9.31
$18.28
+96% in Casper, WY

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 / WY)
4.875%
4%
+0.9 pp in NM
Income Tax (top rate)
5.90%
None
+5.9 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Casper — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Casper?
Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,040, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Casper?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $31,000 in Casper.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Casper?
Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).