Living Cost Compare
Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

vs
Springfield

Missouri

$940/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 $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 30% higher in Albuquerque, NM. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM
Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio
$797
$760
+5% in Albuquerque, NM
1 Bedroom
$889
$772
+13% in Albuquerque, NM
2 Bedroom
$1,140
$926
+19% in Albuquerque, NM
3 Bedroom
$1,459
$1,158
+21% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$266,700
$165,200
+38% in Albuquerque, NM

Income

Median Household Income
$65,604
$45,984
+30% in Albuquerque, NM
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,060
$45,780
+5% in Albuquerque, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.7 yr
33.6 yr
+5.1 yr in Albuquerque, NM
Homeownership
61.5%
42.9%
+18.6 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Bachelor's+ (25+)
38.7%
30.3%
+8.4 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Avg Commute
22.2 min
18.0 min
+4.2 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,194.3
1,189.8
+0% in Albuquerque, NM
Property Crime
4,766.6
4,231.6
+11% 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
56.3°F
+0.9°F in Albuquerque, NM
Annual Precipitation
9.4 in
45.6 in
+36.1 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.94/gal
+9% in Springfield, MO

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
13.7
+3% in Albuquerque, NM
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.90
$24.13
+103% in Springfield, MO

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 Springfield, MO
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.77
+8% in Albuquerque, NM
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.10
+4% in Springfield, MO
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 / MO)
4.875%
4.225%
+0.7 pp in NM
Income Tax (top rate)
5.90%
4.70%
+1.2 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Springfield?
Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Springfield?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Springfield?
Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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).