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Cost of living in Albuquerque, NM

Livability score 60 · cost-of-living index 93.6 (US = 100)

Albuquerque, NM
Photo: Quintin Soloviev via Commons · CC BY 4.0

How Albuquerque compares

Where Albuquerque falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 94 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 94 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $353k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $353k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $191 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $191 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 7.8% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 7.8% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.93% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.93% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 780 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 780 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 15.2 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 15.2 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 92° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 92° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 25° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 25°

Map of Albuquerque

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)93.6metro-area#79 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)97.4metro-area#132 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)$5.33metro-area#79 of 200
Median household income$63,971metro-area#148 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)$37,907metro-area#128 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age39.6 yearsmetro-area#130 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)35.0%metro-area#84 of 200
Foreign-born residents9.2%metro-area#83 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied68.7%metro-area#60 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate5.69%metro-area#137 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)+1.2%metro-area#145 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price$352,894metro-area#109 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)5.5×metro-area#139 of 200
1-yr home appreciation+1.0%metro-area#109 of 200
Price per square foot$191metro-area#104 of 200
Typical home size (implied)1,850 sqft
Median rent (monthly)$1,502metro-area#81 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)2,589
Median days on market11metro-area#57 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)10.2%state#111 of 200
Combined sales tax7.78%state#113 of 200
State income tax (top rate)5.90%
Capital gains tax5.90%state#138 of 200
High earnersNo special surtax
Social Security in retirementTaxed — taxes Social Security benefits, but income thresholds and age rules exempt many retirees — check the state's own limits before assuming you would owe
Effective property tax rate0.93%metro-area#112 of 200
Median property tax paid$2,258metro-area#80 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth75.3 yearsmetro-area#142 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)$6,400state#32 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)9.6%metro-area#118 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k91metro-area#32 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)$10,000state#58 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration$60state#19 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)Nonestate#1 of 200
Emissions testingRequired
Emissions detailRequired in major metro counties
DMV & license offices23
Avg commute to work24 minmetro-area#104 of 200
Commute by driving alone73.6%metro-area#78 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min32.4%metro-area#110 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity15.2¢/kWhstate#40 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill$136state#40 of 200
Gasoline$3.20/galstate#63 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)$50state#22 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)$58state#10 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)$74state#15 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual)$1,900state#106 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)$1,600state#51 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazardsNotable hazards: wildfire — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)89.8 — Relatively Moderatemetro-area#103 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)$550state#7 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)$100state#1 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)61metro-area#188 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)1,500metro-area#110 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)85%state#160 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)4,200metro-area#107 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F43metro-area#122 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F1metro-area#105 of 200
Avg summer high (state)92°Fmetro-area#163 of 200
Avg winter low25°Fmetro-area#123 of 200
Annual precipitation9.4"metro-area#9 of 200
Annual snowfall10.0"metro-area#110 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)71%metro-area#24 of 200
Plant hardiness zone7a
Frost window04-10 → 11-01

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)780state#199 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)3,400state#199 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores30metro-area#140 of 200
Parks43
Hiking areas24
Golf courses21
Shooting ranges14
Lakes18

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)3state#87 of 200
Permit detailModerate

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Top employers in Albuquerque

Major public and private employers in the Albuquerque, NM area.

EmployerSectorJobs
Sandia National Laboratories research Careers →
Intel Rio Rancho Tech Careers →
Kirtland Air Force Base Government Careers →
University of New Mexico Education Search →
Albuquerque Public Schools Education Search →
Presbyterian Healthcare Services Healthcare Search →

Salaries by occupation in Albuquerque

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $190,960
Pharmacists $134,800
Mechanical Engineers $133,660
Physician Assistants $129,980
Software Developers $128,770
Financial Managers $122,490
Human Resources Managers $119,900
Marketing Managers $116,650
Civil Engineers $100,090
Physical Therapists $99,670
General & Operations Managers $98,400
Dental Hygienists $95,770
Lawyers $95,350
Construction Managers $90,330
Registered Nurses $83,380
Data Scientists $82,360
Accountants & Auditors $73,650
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $68,210
Elementary School Teachers $62,730
Electricians $56,730
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $54,690
Real Estate Sales Agents $52,500
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $48,810
Graphic Designers $47,500
Carpenters $46,990
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $45,990
Medical Assistants $38,310

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