Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,040, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Topeka?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,040/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 15% higher in Albuquerque, NM. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$797

$702

+12% in Albuquerque, NM

1 Bedroom

$889

$758

+15% in Albuquerque, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$977

+14% in Albuquerque, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,177

+19% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$130,600

+51% in Albuquerque, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$55,902

+15% in Albuquerque, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$49,540

+3% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

38.2 yr

+0.5 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

59.2%

+2.3 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

29.1%

+9.6 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Avg Commute

22.2 min

16.7 min

+5.5 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

856.5

+28% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

3,660.2

+23% 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

55.1°F

+2.1°F in Albuquerque, NM

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

36.5 in

+27.0 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Topeka, KS

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)

15.1

15.7

+4% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$9.31

$25.12

+170% in Topeka, KS

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 Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Albuquerque, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Topeka, KS

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 / KS)

4.875%

6.5%

+1.6 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

5.58%

+0.3 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,040, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Topeka?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% 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).