Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Spokane?

Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Spokane?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $65,745 in Spokane, WA. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$797

$884

+11% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$889

$903

+2% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,192

+5% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,442

+1% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$326,200

+22% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$65,745

+0% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$54,660

+14% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

37.2 yr

+1.5 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

58.3%

+3.2 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

32.6%

+6.1 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Avg Commute

22.2 min

21.2 min

+1.0 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

683.6

+43% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

4,931.8

+3% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+8.3°F in Albuquerque, NM

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

17.8 in

+8.3 in in Spokane, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Spokane, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

Free

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.9

+6% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$20.41

+72% in Spokane, WA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — West vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / WA)

4.875%

6.5%

+1.6 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

None

+5.9 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Spokane?: Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Spokane?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).