Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Norfolk?

Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Norfolk?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 2% higher in Albuquerque, NM. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$797

$1,102

+38% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,032

+16% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,214

+6% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,602

+10% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$271,900

+2% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$64,017

+2% in Albuquerque, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$49,430

+3% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

32.4 yr

+6.3 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

45.7%

+15.8 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

32.7%

+6.0 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Avg Commute

22.2 min

22.9 min

+0.7 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

479.5

+60% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

3,800.7

+20% 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

61.3°F

+4.1°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

44.8 in

+35.3 in in Norfolk, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Norfolk, VA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

Free

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

17.6

+25% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$23.66

+99% in Norfolk, VA

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 Norfolk, VA

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 / VA)

4.875%

5.3%

+0.4 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

5.75%

+0.2 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Norfolk?: Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Norfolk?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).