Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Jackson?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/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 $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 34% higher in Albuquerque, NM. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$797

$1,085

+36% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$889

$816

+8% in Albuquerque, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$991

+13% in Albuquerque, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,121

+23% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$108,200

+59% in Albuquerque, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$43,238

+34% in Albuquerque, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$42,850

+11% in Albuquerque, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

34.7 yr

+4.0 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

48.6%

+12.9 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

28.6%

+10.1 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Avg Commute

22.2 min

20.2 min

+2.0 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

—

Property Crime

4,766.6

—

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

65.3°F

+8.1°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

54.3 in

+44.9 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

Free

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

16.2

+14% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$27.68

+133% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Albuquerque, NM

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Albuquerque, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Albuquerque, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Albuquerque, NM

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Albuquerque, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / MS)

4.875%

+2.1 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

4.00%

+1.9 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Jackson?: 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 Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Jackson?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).