Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Tacoma?

Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Tacoma?

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

Albuquerque vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 22% higher in Tacoma, 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

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$797

$1,178

+48% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,332

+50% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,693

+49% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$2,094

+44% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$454,600

+70% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$83,857

+28% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$72,610

+51% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

37.3 yr

+1.4 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

56.5%

+5.0 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

33.5%

+5.2 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Avg Commute

22.2 min

29.0 min

+6.8 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

1,064.4

+11% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

5,695.2

+19% in Tacoma, 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

52.1°F

+5.1°F in Albuquerque, NM

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

43.0 in

+33.6 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$20.41

+72% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Tacoma?: Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Tacoma?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Tacoma 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).