Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Washington?

Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 51% below Washington, DC's $2,130, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $75,000 in Washington.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Washington?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Washington Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,040/mo est.

Washington

District of Columbia

$2,130/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 $2,130 in Washington, DC. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 51% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 38% higher in Washington, DC. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Washington, DC

Rent

Studio

$797

$1,763

+121% in Washington, DC

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,885

+112% in Washington, DC

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,949

+71% in Washington, DC

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$2,249

+54% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$724,600

+172% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$106,287

+62% in Washington, DC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$71,060

+48% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

34.9 yr

+3.8 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

41.1%

+20.4 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

63.6%

+24.9 pp in Washington, DC

Avg Commute

22.2 min

30.3 min

+8.1 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,193.2

936

+22% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.2

3,627.1

+24% 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

58.2°F

+1.0°F in Washington, DC

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

39.7 in

+30.3 in in Washington, DC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.99/gal

$4.30/gal

+8% in Washington, DC

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

Free

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.8

25.0

+69% in Washington, DC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$18.01

+51% in Washington, DC

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 / DC)

4.875%

+1.1 pp in DC

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

10.75%

+4.8 pp in DC

Albuquerque vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Washington?: Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 51% below Washington, DC's $2,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Washington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Washington?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% 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).