Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Grand Rapids?

Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $39,000 in Grand Rapids.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Grand Rapids?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Grand Rapids under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Grand Rapids Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,040/mo est.

Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/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 $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Grand Rapids, MI

Rent

Studio

$797

$992

+24% in Grand Rapids, MI

1 Bedroom

$889

$964

+8% in Grand Rapids, MI

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,206

+6% in Grand Rapids, MI

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,421

+3% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$225,500

+15% in Albuquerque, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$65,526

+0% in Albuquerque, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$47,570

+1% in Albuquerque, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

32.1 yr

+6.6 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

54.6%

+6.9 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

40.1%

+1.4 pp in Grand Rapids, MI

Avg Commute

22.2 min

19.4 min

+2.8 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

910.1

+24% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

2,506.2

+47% 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

49.1°F

+8.1°F in Albuquerque, NM

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

38.3 in

+28.8 in in Grand Rapids, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Grand Rapids, MI

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

Free

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

23.0

+53% in Grand Rapids, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$9.31

$19.72

+112% in Grand Rapids, MI

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

$1.66

+19% in Albuquerque, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Grand Rapids, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Albuquerque, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Grand Rapids, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Albuquerque, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / MI)

4.875%

+1.1 pp in MI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

4.25%

+1.7 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Grand Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Grand Rapids?: Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Grand Rapids?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $39,000 in Grand Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Grand Rapids?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Grand Rapids under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).