Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Madison?

Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Madison?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 15% higher in Madison, WI. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$797

$1,018

+28% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,219

+37% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,432

+26% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,766

+21% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$346,900

+30% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$76,983

+17% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$58,080

+21% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

31.8 yr

+6.9 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

46.6%

+14.9 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

59.2%

+20.5 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

22.2 min

19.4 min

+2.8 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

259.5

+78% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

1,884.5

+60% 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

46.5°F

+10.7°F in Albuquerque, NM

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

34.5 in

+25.0 in in Madison, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Madison, WI

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

19.7

+40% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$11.79

+1% in Albuquerque, NM

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 Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Albuquerque, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Madison, WI

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 / WI)

4.875%

+0.1 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

7.65%

+1.8 pp in WI

Albuquerque vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Madison?: Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Madison?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 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).