Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Oklahoma City?

Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,040, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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 Oklahoma City.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Oklahoma City?

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

Albuquerque vs Oklahoma City Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,040/mo est.

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Oklahoma City, OK. Overall, Oklahoma City, OK is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK — about 2% higher in Oklahoma City, OK. 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

Oklahoma City, OK

Rent

Studio

$797

$795

+0% in Albuquerque, NM

1 Bedroom

$889

$882

+1% in Albuquerque, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,085

+5% in Albuquerque, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,356

+7% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$215,100

+19% in Albuquerque, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$66,702

+2% in Oklahoma City, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$47,230

+2% in Albuquerque, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

35.0 yr

+3.7 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

59.1%

+2.4 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

34.0%

+4.7 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Avg Commute

22.2 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,193.2

685.6

+43% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.2

2,928.9

+39% 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 Oklahoma City, OK

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

36.5 in

+27.1 in in Oklahoma City, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.99/gal

$4.35/gal

+9% in Oklahoma City, OK

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

Free

$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.8

13.6

+8% in Albuquerque, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$15.95

+34% in Oklahoma City, OK

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 / 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 Oklahoma City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Oklahoma City?: Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,040, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Oklahoma City?: 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 Oklahoma City.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Oklahoma City?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Oklahoma City 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).