Living Cost Compare
Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,040/mo est.

vs
Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/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 $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 6% higher in Idaho Falls, 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
Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio
$797
$818
+3% in Idaho Falls, ID
1 Bedroom
$889
$827
+7% in Albuquerque, NM
2 Bedroom
$1,140
$957
+16% in Albuquerque, NM
3 Bedroom
$1,459
$1,278
+12% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$266,700
$298,600
+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income
$65,604
$69,630
+6% in Idaho Falls, ID
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,060
$46,800
+3% in Albuquerque, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.7 yr
33.5 yr
+5.2 yr in Albuquerque, NM
Homeownership
61.5%
64.1%
+2.6 pp in Idaho Falls, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
38.7%
31.0%
+7.7 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Avg Commute
22.2 min
18.2 min
+4.0 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,194.3
365.3
+69% in Albuquerque, NM
Property Crime
4,766.6
1,235.5
+74% 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
44.2°F
+13.0°F in Albuquerque, NM
Annual Precipitation
9.4 in
10.4 in
+0.9 in in Idaho Falls, ID

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$4.27/gal
+18% in Idaho Falls, 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)
15.1
14.4
+5% in Albuquerque, NM
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$9.31
$11.33
+22% in Idaho Falls, ID

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 / ID)
4.875%
6%
+1.1 pp in ID
Income Tax (top rate)
5.90%
5.30%
+0.6 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Idaho Falls?
Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,040, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Idaho Falls?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Idaho Falls?
Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Idaho Falls 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).