Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Lincoln?

They're close. Albuquerque, NM runs about $1,030 a month and Lincoln, NE about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $35,000 in Lincoln.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Lincoln?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 6% higher in Lincoln, NE. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$797

$851

+7% in Lincoln, NE

1 Bedroom

$889

$879

+1% in Albuquerque, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,070

+6% in Albuquerque, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,379

+5% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$248,200

+7% in Albuquerque, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$69,991

+7% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$49,800

+4% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

33.4 yr

+5.3 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

55.8%

+5.7 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

41.0%

+2.3 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

22.2 min

18.3 min

+3.9 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

363.1

+70% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

2,484.4

+48% 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

51.5°F

+5.7°F in Albuquerque, NM

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

30.9 in

+21.4 in in Lincoln, NE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Lincoln, NE

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)

14.1

13.6

+4% in Albuquerque, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$15.53

+31% in Lincoln, NE

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 Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Albuquerque, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Lincoln, NE

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 / NE)

4.875%

5.5%

+0.6 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

4.55%

+1.4 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Lincoln?: They're close. Albuquerque, NM runs about $1,030 a month and Lincoln, NE about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Lincoln?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).