Cost of Living in Albuquerque, NM, United States

Updated On May 27, 2025

How Much Does It Cost to Live In Albuquerque, NM?

If you have only thought about relocating to Albuquerque in New Mexico or you are just curious about the cost of living there, you can take a look at the data provided which will help you get acquainted with the basic costs and possible salaries there.

The cost of living is usually determined according to the obligatory expenses related to the categories of food, services, and housing.

However, there are additional, non-essential ones, that need to be included as well.

Cost of Living Index:
72.4
* Based on Research & User Data

United States FlagUnited States : Cost of Living by City

Cost of Living in United States
Restaurants

RESTAURANTS

Albuquerque residents have plenty of things to do to keep them entertained during their leisure time, and one of them is definitely dining in the local restaurants.

Food is expensive in Albuquerque, thus affecting the restaurant prices, but choosing the less expensive one would provide you with a decent meal for not-so-high prices.

Markets

MARKETS

When it comes to food prices, Albuquerque’s cost of living is slightly below the national average, but the groceries shopping would definitely take you the most of the income, and wise purchasing of fruit and vegetables, at the local markets, would have a huge benefit for your budget.

Transportation

TRANSPORTATION

As an Albuquerque resident, you will pay less for transportation, as it is quite a bargain here.

One way ticket is only $1, while a monthly pass allows you the usage of the public transport system during the whole month at just $40.

Even more, can be saved if you do not mind walking or cycling.

Utilities

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

Albuquerque is famous for its housing affordability, and reasonable accommodation prices bring comfort to those relocating there, but what they have to bear in mind is that utilities are paid additionally to the rent, and they will have to devote $200 more monthly for them.

Sports and leisure

SPORTS & LEISURE

Albuquerque’s climate is ideal for sports people who like doing activities outside, such as golf, hiking, and cycling, as there are approximately 310 days of sunshine per year.

This affects the prices of gyms and fitness clubs to decrease, and they are pretty affordable here.

Clothing and shoes

CLOTHING & SHOES

Young people enjoy shopping for clothes and shopping opportunities in Albuquerque are numerous and versatile.

They include both closed and open-air shopping centers and boutiques which offer branded items at not-so-high prices, and the majority of people can afford them.

Rent per month

RENT PER MONTH

When it comes to accommodation, it is cheaper to live in Albuquerque than in many places in the United States, but this city is still more expensive than some other nearby cities.

Actually, Albuquerque appeals to a wide range of budgets and tastes, as you can either choose the urban or suburban areas.

Cost of Living Averages Table for Albuquerque, NM

*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.
Average Restaurant Prices
Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) $18.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) $5.75
Water (0.33 Liter) $1.75
Average Market Prices
Milk (1 Liter) $0.98
Loaf Bread (500g) $3.03
Eggs (12) $4.23
Average Transport Prices
One Way Ticket $1
Monthly Pass $40.00
Gasoline $0.98
Average Utilities Prices
Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) $174.06
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local $0.10
Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) $83.50
Average Leisure Prices
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult $43.31
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) $36.67
Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release $12.75
Average Clothing Prices
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) $61.80
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) $53.33
1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) $94.73
Average Rent Prices
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center $1511.88
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center $1194.09
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center $2819.00

How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Albuquerque, NM?

Due to the fact that the climate allows outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the city,  it possesses places designed for sports activities which include biking and walking trails, thus not much money is devoted to this category.

While sports people would be happy to hear that they do not need money to satisfy their desires for sports, restaurant goers would not be so glad to hear the restaurant prices, especially if they live on a budget.

Be ready because the food will require you more money than the rent.

Average Costs Breakdown

14.7%
35.6%
8.4%
6.5%
4.4%
2.2%
28.2%

Albuquerque, NM: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages

What you need to do first is to research the possible income for your profession here, just to find out how much money you might earn and how to organize it.

The average monthly net salary in Albuquerque is not low, and when compared with not-so-high rent prices, it makes Albuquerque,  an ideal place to live and work.

If you are serious about relocating to Albuquerque and you do not want to rent accommodation, but buy your own property, you can investigate local mortgage rate options before coming and see if they are cost-effective, as they are approximately 5.82%.

Average Salary$5078.08
Minimum Wage$1256.7
Mortgage Interest Rate5.82%

Albuquerque Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Albuquerque Safety Review

Safety Index:
31
Albuquerque
  • OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
  • TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
  • PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
  • NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
  • MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
  • TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
  • SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
  • WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Cost of Living by City in United States

City Cost of Living Index
United States FlagAlbany, NY 72.4
United States FlagAnchorage, AK 72.4
United States FlagAnn Arbor, MI 72.4
United States FlagArlington, TX 72.4
United States FlagAsheville, NC 72.4
United States FlagAtlanta, GA 72.4
United States FlagAustin, TX 72.4
United States FlagBakersfield, CA 72.4
United States FlagBaltimore, MD 72.4
United States FlagBellevue, WA 72.4
United States FlagBellingham, WA 72.4
United States FlagBerkeley, CA 72.4
United States FlagBirmingham, AL 72.4
United States FlagBoise, ID 72.4
United States FlagBoston, MA 72.4
United States FlagBoulder, CO 72.4
United States FlagBrooklyn, NY 72.4
United States FlagBuffalo, NY 72.4
United States FlagBurlington, VT 72.4
United States FlagCharleston, SC 72.4
United States FlagCharlotte, NC 73.33
United States FlagChattanooga, TN 72.4
United States FlagChicago, IL 72.4
United States FlagCincinnati, OH 72.4
United States FlagCleveland, OH 72.4
United States FlagColumbia, SC 72.4
United States FlagColumbus, OH 72.4
United States FlagDallas, TX 72.4
United States FlagDayton, OH 72.4
United States FlagDenver, CO 72.4
United States FlagDes Moines, IA 72.4
United States FlagDetroit, MI 72.4
United States FlagEl Paso, TX 72.4
United States FlagEugene, OR 72.4
United States FlagEverett, WA 72.4
United States FlagFayetteville, AR 72.4
United States FlagFort Myers, FL 72.4
United States FlagFort Wayne, IN 72.4
United States FlagFort Worth, TX 72.4
United States FlagFresno, CA 74.2
United States FlagGainesville, FL 74.2
United States FlagGrand Rapids, MI 74.2
United States FlagGreensboro, NC 74.2
United States FlagHartford, CT 74.2
United States FlagHonolulu, HI 74.2
United States FlagHouston, TX 74.2
United States FlagHuntsville, AL 74.2
United States FlagIndianapolis, IN 74.2
United States FlagIrvine, CA 74.2
United States FlagJacksonville, FL 74.2
United States FlagJersey City, NJ 74.2
United States FlagKansas City, MO 74.2
United States FlagKnoxville, TN 74.2
United States FlagLas Vegas, NV 74.2
United States FlagLexington, KY 74.2
United States FlagLittle Rock, AR 74.2
United States FlagLong Beach, CA 74.2
United States FlagLos Angeles, CA 74.2
United States FlagLouisville, KY 74.2
United States FlagLubbock, TX 74.2
United States FlagMadison, WI 74.2
United States FlagMemphis, TN 74.2
United States FlagMiami, FL 74.2
United States FlagMilwaukee, WI 74.2
United States FlagMinneapolis, MN 74.2
United States FlagNashville, TN 74.2
United States FlagNew Orleans, LA 74.2
United States FlagNew York, NY 74.2
United States FlagOakland, CA 74.2
United States FlagOklahoma City, OK 74.2
United States FlagOlympia, WA 74.2
United States FlagOrlando, FL 74.2
United States FlagPeoria, IL 72.4
United States FlagPhiladelphia, PA 72.4
United States FlagPhoenix, AZ 72.4
United States FlagPittsburgh, PA 72.4
United States FlagPortland, ME 72.4
United States FlagPortland, OR 72.4
United States FlagRaleigh, NC 72.4
United States FlagReno, NV 72.4
United States FlagRichmond, VA 74.2
United States FlagRochester, NY 74.2
United States FlagSacramento, CA 74.2
United States FlagSaint Louis, MO 74.2
United States FlagSaint Paul, MN 74.2
United States FlagSaint Petersburg, FL 74.2
United States FlagSalem, OR 74.2
United States FlagSalt Lake City, UT 74.2
United States FlagSan Antonio, TX 74.2
United States FlagSan Diego, CA 74.2
United States FlagSan Francisco, CA 74.2
United States FlagSan Jose, CA 74.2
United States FlagSanta Barbara, CA 74.2
United States FlagSanta Rosa, CA 74.2
United States FlagSeattle, WA 74.2
United States FlagSpokane, WA 74.2
United States FlagSpringfield, MO 74.2
United States FlagSyracuse, NY 74.2
United States FlagTacoma, WA 74.2
United States FlagTallahassee, FL 74.2
United States FlagTampa, FL 74.2
United States FlagToledo, OH 74.2
United States FlagTucson, AZ 74.2
United States FlagTulsa, OK 74.2
United States FlagVancouver, WA 74.2
United States FlagVirginia Beach, VA 74.2
United States FlagWashington, DC 74.2
United States FlagWest Palm Beach, FL 74.2
United States FlagWichita, KS 74.2

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Or, browse the country/city indexes:

Cost of Living - Country Index Cost of Living - City Index

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