Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Norman?

They're close. Albuquerque, NM runs about $1,030 a month and Norman, OK 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 Norman?

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 Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Norman?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

Norman

Oklahoma

$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 Norman, OK. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 1% higher in Albuquerque, NM. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$797

$820

+3% in Norman, OK

1 Bedroom

$889

$863

+3% in Albuquerque, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,056

+7% in Albuquerque, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,377

+6% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$239,300

+10% in Albuquerque, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$65,060

+1% in Albuquerque, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$47,230

+2% in Albuquerque, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

31.6 yr

+7.1 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

52.7%

+8.8 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

46.2%

+7.5 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.2 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

268.6

+78% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

2,294.1

+52% 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

61.5°F

+4.3°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

36.5 in

+27.1 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Norman, OK

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

13.4

+5% in Albuquerque, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$27.15

+128% in Norman, OK

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 Norman, OK

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 / OK)

4.875%

4.5%

+0.4 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

4.50%

+1.4 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Norman?: They're close. Albuquerque, NM runs about $1,030 a month and Norman, OK 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 Norman?: 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 Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Norman?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).