Living Cost Compare
Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,040/mo est.

vs
Tampa

Florida

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

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 8% higher in Tampa, FL. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM
Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio
$797
$1,242
+56% in Tampa, FL
1 Bedroom
$889
$1,324
+49% in Tampa, FL
2 Bedroom
$1,140
$1,673
+47% in Tampa, FL
3 Bedroom
$1,459
$1,729
+19% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$266,700
$375,300
+41% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income
$65,604
$71,302
+9% in Tampa, FL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,060
$48,940
+2% in Tampa, FL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.7 yr
35.6 yr
+3.1 yr in Albuquerque, NM
Homeownership
61.5%
50.2%
+11.3 pp in Albuquerque, NM
Bachelor's+ (25+)
38.7%
44.6%
+5.9 pp in Tampa, FL
Avg Commute
22.2 min
24.7 min
+2.5 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,193.2
443.4
+63% in Albuquerque, NM
Property Crime
4,766.2
1,473.2
+69% 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
73.4°F
+16.2°F in Tampa, FL
Annual Precipitation
9.4 in
46.3 in
+36.8 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.99/gal
$4.25/gal
+7% in Tampa, FL

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
Free
$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.8
14.9
+0% in Tampa, FL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.90
$23.62
+98% in Tampa, FL

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 / FL)
4.875%
6%
+1.1 pp in FL
Income Tax (top rate)
5.90%
None
+5.9 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Tampa?
Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Tampa?
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 Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Tampa?
Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% 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).