Living Cost Compare
Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,040/mo est.

vs
Jacksonville

Florida

$1,320/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 $1,320 in Jacksonville, FL. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Jacksonville, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $66,981 in Jacksonville, FL — about 2% higher in Jacksonville, FL. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM
Jacksonville, FL

Rent

Studio
$797
$1,127
+41% in Jacksonville, FL
1 Bedroom
$889
$1,146
+29% in Jacksonville, FL
2 Bedroom
$1,140
$1,385
+21% in Jacksonville, FL
3 Bedroom
$1,459
$1,545
+6% in Jacksonville, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$266,700
$266,100
+0% in Albuquerque, NM

Income

Median Household Income
$65,604
$66,981
+2% in Jacksonville, FL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,060
$48,830
+2% in Jacksonville, FL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.7 yr
36.4 yr
+2.3 yr in Albuquerque, NM
Homeownership
61.5%
57.4%
+4.1 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Bachelor's+ (25+)
38.7%
31.8%
+6.9 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Avg Commute
22.2 min
24.1 min
+1.9 min in Jacksonville, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,193.2
557.6
+53% in Albuquerque, NM
Property Crime
4,766.2
2,599.5
+45% 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
70.2°F
+13.0°F in Jacksonville, FL
Annual Precipitation
9.4 in
49.2 in
+39.7 in in Jacksonville, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.99/gal
$4.25/gal
+7% in Jacksonville, FL

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
Free
$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.8
14.9
+0% in Jacksonville, FL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.90
$23.62
+98% in Jacksonville, FL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.37
$4.16
+5% in Albuquerque, NM
Bread (lb)
$2.10
$1.73
+18% in Albuquerque, NM
Eggs (doz)
$2.25
$2.19
+3% in Albuquerque, NM
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.23
$6.56
+9% in Albuquerque, NM
Chicken (lb)
$2.14
$1.90
+11% in Albuquerque, NM
Bananas (lb)
$0.74
$0.61
+17% in Albuquerque, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / FL)
4.875%
6%
+1.1 pp in FL
Income Tax (top rate)
5.90%
None
+5.9 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Jacksonville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Jacksonville?
Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Jacksonville, FL's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Jacksonville?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $46,000 in Jacksonville.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Jacksonville?
Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Jacksonville under Florida's (no state income tax 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).