Cost of living in Albuquerque, NM
925,279 people (Census 2025 estimate). Overall prices are 4.5% below the US average, with housing at 89.2 on BEA’s index (US = 100). A single renter on $60,000 keeps $1,372 a month after 2026 taxes and modeled costs.
Typical household budgets in Albuquerque, NM
Computed by MoveMath’s engine with 2026 tax law, HUD Fair Market Rent for the bedrooms each household needs, no childcare (DOL publishes no childcare prices for this metro’s principal county — see below), USDA Moderate-Cost food, one car per adult and $1,000 a month of other spending at US-average prices scaled by local price levels.
Childcare is not included in these budgets: DOL’s National Database of Childcare Prices has no price for Bernalillo County, NM in any year from 2018 to 2022 (NDCP has no county prices anywhere in New Mexico for those years). The family’s budget would be higher by the cost of care.
| Per month | Single, $60k | Couple + toddler, $110k | Family of four, $70,783 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,000 | $9,167 | $5,899 |
| Taxes | $939 | $1,508 | $555 |
| Take-home pay | $4,061 | $7,658 | $5,343 |
| Housing | $1,112 | $1,384 | $1,384 |
| Food | $424 | $950 | $1,233 |
| Transportation | $156 | $313 | $313 |
| Sales tax | $23 | $23 | $23 |
| Other goods & services | $973 | $973 | $973 |
| Left over | $1,372 | $4,014 | $1,416 |
Family of four = two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child at the metro’s median household income ($70,783). Click a column to open it in the budget planner and change any input.
Price levels: Albuquerque, NM vs New Mexico and the US
BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. 100 = US average; bars compare the metro (dark) with New Mexico statewide (light).
Within New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM ranks 2nd of 4 metros on overall prices; the state as a whole is at 92.2. The dashed line marks the US average.
Rent and homeownership
| Unit | HUD Fair Market Rent | Income needed at 30% | Share of median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $977 | $39,080 | 16.6% |
| 1-bedroom | $1,112 | $44,480 | 18.9% |
| 2-bedroom | $1,384 | $55,360 | 23.5% |
| 3-bedroom | $1,902 | $76,080 | 32.2% |
| 4-bedroom | $2,242 | $89,680 | 38.0% |
FY2027 FMRs for Albuquerque, NM MSA: 40th-percentile gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) for standard-quality units. Census median gross rent, all unit sizes: $1,156 (ACS 2020-2024).
Childcare prices in Bernalillo County, NM
No childcare prices: DOL’s National Database of Childcare Prices has no price for Bernalillo County, NM in any year from 2018 to 2022 (NDCP has no county prices anywhere in New Mexico for those years). Childcare is left out of the budgets on this page (not counted as $0 cost) rather than estimated.
Taxes: what you keep in Albuquerque
| Single filer, 2026 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $120,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $3,820 | $7,670 | $17,570 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $3,825 | $5,738 | $9,180 |
| New Mexico income tax | $1,184 | $2,359 | $4,549 |
| Take-home pay / month | $3,431 | $4,936 | $7,392 |
| Share of pay to taxes | 17.7% | 21.0% | 26.1% |
No mandatory local income tax for residents of Albuquerque in our data. State sales tax: 4.875% (state rate only; local rates add on), groceries exempt.
Calculate take-home pay for your household in Albuquerque, NM
Energy and fuel
EIA: electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05. Renters’ utilities are already inside gross rent.
Nearby metros
| Metro | Distance | Price level | 2-BR FMR | Single $60k left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | — | 95.5 | $1,384 | $1,372 |
| Santa Fe, NM · compare | 54 mi | 98.8 | $1,735 | $1,071 (−$301) |
| Farmington, NM · compare | 143 mi | 87.7 | $1,116 | $1,629 (+$257) |
| Las Cruces, NM · compare | 192 mi | 90.2 | $1,073 | $1,509 (+$137) |
| El Paso, TX · compare | 225 mi | 89.9 | $1,146 | $1,683 (+$310) |
| Pueblo, CO · compare | 246 mi | 91.8 | $1,263 | $1,461 (+$88) |
| Amarillo, TX · compare | 272 mi | 91.8 | $1,107 | $1,748 (+$375) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Albuquerque, NM expensive to live in?+
BEA’s Regional Price Parities put overall prices in the Albuquerque, NM metro at 95.5 (US = 100) in 2024 — 4.5% below the national average and the 156th highest of 387 metros. Housing is 89.2, goods 96.1.
What salary do you need to live in Albuquerque, NM?+
A single renter earning $60,000 keeps $4,061 a month after 2026 taxes and has $1,372 left after rent at HUD Fair Market Rent, food, fuel, sales tax and other modeled costs. Use the cost of living calculator to find the salary that matches your current budget.
How much is rent in Albuquerque, NM?+
HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent — the 40th-percentile gross rent including utilities — is $1,112 for a 1-bedroom and $1,384 for a 2-bedroom. The Census median gross rent for all units is $1,156.
Does Albuquerque have a local income tax?+
No mandatory local income tax applies to residents of Albuquerque in our 2026 data. New Mexico state income tax does apply.