Living Cost Compare
Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

vs
Sioux Falls

South Dakota

$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 Sioux Falls, SD. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 12% higher in Sioux Falls, SD. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM
Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio
$797
$825
+4% in Sioux Falls, SD
1 Bedroom
$889
$870
+2% in Albuquerque, NM
2 Bedroom
$1,140
$1,000
+12% in Albuquerque, NM
3 Bedroom
$1,459
$1,237
+15% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$266,700
$271,400
+2% in Sioux Falls, SD

Income

Median Household Income
$65,604
$74,714
+14% in Sioux Falls, SD
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,060
$47,970
+0% in Albuquerque, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.7 yr
35.1 yr
+3.6 yr in Albuquerque, NM
Homeownership
61.5%
60.0%
+1.5 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Bachelor's+ (25+)
38.7%
37.4%
+1.3 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Avg Commute
22.2 min
17.0 min
+5.2 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,194.3
526.7
+56% in Albuquerque, NM
Property Crime
4,766.6
2,927.1
+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
45.8°F
+11.4°F in Albuquerque, NM
Annual Precipitation
9.4 in
26.4 in
+16.9 in in Sioux Falls, SD

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.94/gal
+9% in Sioux Falls, SD

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
15.7
+11% in Sioux Falls, SD
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.90
$10.95
+8% 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 Sioux Falls, SD
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.77
+8% in Albuquerque, NM
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.10
+4% in Sioux Falls, SD
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 / SD)
4.875%
4.2%
+0.7 pp in NM
Income Tax (top rate)
5.90%
None
+5.9 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Sioux Falls?
They're close. Albuquerque, NM runs about $1,030 a month and Sioux Falls, SD 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 Sioux Falls?
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 Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Sioux Falls?
Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).