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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Albuquerque: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

4.5% below

Cost of living in Albuquerque is 4.5% below the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Albuquerque, NM metro area (index 95.5; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Albuquerque is $1,227 a month.

Cost of living in Albuquerque by category

Overall prices

95.5U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

−4.5% vs. U.S.

Goods
96.1 −3.9%
Housing (rents)
89.2 −10.8%
Utilities
77.9 −22.1%
Other services
98.5 −1.5%

BEA 2024 · Albuquerque metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,227/mo

Median gross rent

−17% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,015 −22% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,225 −18% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,550 −8% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$324,600 −10% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$1,663 −18% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$99/mo

Average electric bill

−37% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
16.1¢/kWh −12% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$11.62/Mcf −40% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
77.9

EIA July 2026 · New Mexico statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

23.1min

Mean travel time to work

−15% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
71%
Work from home
13.4%
Gasoline (PADD 3 avg.)
$3.86/gal −11% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$174/wk

U.S. median: center care, infant

U.S. median: center care, toddler
$153/wk
U.S. median: center care, preschool
$144/wk
U.S. median: home-based care, infant
$143/wk

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · U.S. median Details: Child care

Income

$71,494/yr

Median household income

−12% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
21%
Home value to income
4.5×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Albuquerque

Median gross rent in Albuquerque is $1,227 a month, 17% below the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,000–$1,249 range, which holds 18.2% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 48.3% pay $1,250 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $324,600, and 1.3% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Albuquerque vs. New Mexico vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Albuquerque: $1,227; New Mexico: $1,117; U.S.: $1,487 Albuquerque $1,227 New Mexico $1,117 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Albuquerque: $1,663; New Mexico: $1,628; U.S.: $2,035 Albuquerque $1,663 New Mexico $1,628 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Albuquerque: $324,600; New Mexico: $279,900; U.S.: $360,600 Albuquerque $324,600 New Mexico $279,900 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureAlbuquerqueNew MexicoU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,227$1,117$1,487
Monthly owner costs$1,663$1,628$2,035
Median home value$324,600$279,900$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Albuquerque

What renters pay in Albuquerque Share of renter households paying cash rent in Albuquerque by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 5.1%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 0.9%. Median $1,227. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 5.1% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 7.6% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 20.8% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 18.2% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 16.2% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 20.3% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 8.8% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 1.5% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 0.6% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 0.9% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,227 (Albuquerque) 20.8%
Show the data table
RangeAlbuquerqueU.S.
Less than $5005.1%6.1%
$500–$7497.6%6.8%
$750–$99920.8%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24918.2%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49916.2%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99920.3%22.2%
$2,000–$2,4998.8%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9991.5%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4990.6%3.2%
$3,500 or more0.9%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Albuquerque

Home values in Albuquerque Share of owner-occupied homes in Albuquerque by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 6.1%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 0.6%. Median $324,600. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $100,000: 6.1% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 3.9% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 6.7% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 9.5% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 17.1% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 27.4% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 14% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 11.7% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 0.7% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 0.6% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $324,600 (Albuquerque) 27.4%
Show the data table
RangeAlbuquerqueU.S.
Less than $100,0006.1%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9993.9%5.7%
$150,000–$199,9996.7%7.5%
$200,000–$249,9999.5%8.4%
$250,000–$299,99917.1%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99927.4%15.9%
$400,000–$499,99914%12%
$500,000–$749,99911.7%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9992.4%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9990.7%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more0.6%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Albuquerque

Measure Albuquerque New Mexico U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,227$1,117$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,015$937$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,225$1,104$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,550$1,267$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $1,663$1,628$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Albuquerque?

At the median, rent takes about 21% of household income in Albuquerque. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $49,100 a year.

The median home is worth $324,600, or 4.5 times the median household income.

Household income in Albuquerque

The median household in Albuquerque earns $71,494 a year, 12% below the U.S. median of $81,604. About 9.5% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 16.8% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Albuquerque vs. New Mexico vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Albuquerque: $71,494; New Mexico: $67,816; U.S.: $81,604 Albuquerque $71,494 New Mexico $67,816 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureAlbuquerqueNew MexicoU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$71,494$67,816$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Albuquerque

Household income distribution in Albuquerque Share of households in Albuquerque by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 6.8%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 9.5%. Median $71,494. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than $10,000: 6.8% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 3.3% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 3.5% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 5.3% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 3.3% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 3.6% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 4.2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 6.6% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 9.7% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 12.7% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 9.8% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 7.2% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 8.6% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 9.5% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $71,494 (Albuquerque) 12.7%
Show the data table
RangeAlbuquerqueU.S.
Less than $10,0006.8%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9993.2%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9993.3%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9993.5%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9992.8%3%
$30,000–$34,9995.3%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9993.3%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9993.6%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9994.2%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9996.6%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9999.7%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99912.7%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9999.8%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9997.2%7.4%
$150,000–$199,9998.6%9.7%
$200,000 or more9.5%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Albuquerque New Mexico U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $71,494$67,816$81,604
Median home value $324,600$279,900$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Albuquerque, NM metro area scored 95.5 for all items. The highest category is other services at 98.5; the lowest is utilities at 77.9.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Albuquerque metro area: 95.5; New Mexico: 92.2; U.S.: 100.0 Albuquerque metro area 95.5 New Mexico 92.2 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Albuquerque metro area: 96.1; New Mexico: 96.1; U.S.: 99.6 Albuquerque metro area 96.1 New Mexico 96.1 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Albuquerque metro area: 89.2; New Mexico: 73.6; U.S.: 100.6 Albuquerque metro area 89.2 New Mexico 73.6 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Albuquerque metro area: 77.9; New Mexico: 77.9; U.S.: 98.4 Albuquerque metro area 77.9 New Mexico 77.9 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Albuquerque metro area: 98.5; New Mexico: 98.5; U.S.: 100.1 Albuquerque metro area 98.5 New Mexico 98.5 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureAlbuquerque metro areaNew MexicoU.S.
All items95.592.2100.0
Goods96.196.199.6
Housing (rents)89.273.6100.6
Utilities77.977.998.4
Other services98.598.5100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Albuquerque, NM. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in New Mexico paid an average of 16.1¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $99 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $11.62 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are New Mexico averages rather than figures for Albuquerque alone.

Energy prices: New Mexico vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) New Mexico: 16.1¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ New Mexico 16.1¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) New Mexico: $99; U.S.: $157 New Mexico $99 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) New Mexico: $11.62; U.S.: $19.40 New Mexico $11.62 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureNew MexicoU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)16.1¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$99$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$11.62$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Albuquerque who commute spend an average of 23.1 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (71% of workers); 13.4% work from home. Gasoline in the Gulf Coast region (PADD 3), which includes New Mexico, averaged $3.86 a gallon for regular in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally. EIA publishes no separate New Mexico price.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Albuquerque: Drove alone 71%, Carpooled 10.7%, Public transit 0.5%, Walked 2.1%, Bicycle 0.7%, Worked from home 13.4%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. New Mexico: Drove alone 73.8%, Carpooled 11.3%, Public transit 0.5%, Walked 2%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 10.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.8%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Albuquerque: Drove alone. Albuquerque Albuquerque · Drove alone: 71% 71% Albuquerque · Carpooled: 10.7% Albuquerque · Public transit: 0.5% Albuquerque · Walked: 2.1% Albuquerque · Bicycle: 0.7% Albuquerque · Worked from home: 13.4% 13.4% Albuquerque · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7% New Mexico New Mexico · Drove alone: 73.8% 73.8% New Mexico · Carpooled: 11.3% 11.3% New Mexico · Public transit: 0.5% New Mexico · Walked: 2% New Mexico · Bicycle: 0.5% New Mexico · Worked from home: 10.3% New Mexico · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.8% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationAlbuquerqueNew MexicoU.S.
Drove alone71%73.8%69.2%
Carpooled10.7%11.3%9.2%
Public transit0.5%0.5%3.7%
Walked2.1%2%2.4%
Bicycle0.7%0.5%0.5%
Worked from home13.4%10.3%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.7%1.8%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Albuquerque

Travel time to work in Albuquerque Share of workers who do not work from home in Albuquerque by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.6%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 2.2%. Mean 23.1 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than 5 min: 1.6% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 9% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 13.5% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 21.2% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 20% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 9.5% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 13.1% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 2% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 2.4% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 3.3% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 2.2% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 2.2% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 23.1 min (Albuquerque) 21.2%
Show the data table
RangeAlbuquerqueU.S.
Less than 5 min1.6%2.8%
5–9 min9%9.4%
10–14 min13.5%13.1%
15–19 min21.2%15%
20–24 min20%14.1%
25–29 min9.5%7%
30–34 min13.1%13.7%
35–39 min2%3.4%
40–44 min2.4%4.1%
45–59 min3.3%8.3%
60–89 min2.2%6.3%
90 min or more2.2%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Albuquerque

The National Database of Childcare Prices has no county or state figures for New Mexico. Across U.S. counties, the median price for full-time center-based infant care was $174 a week in 2022.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $174
Center-based care, toddler $153
Center-based care, preschool $144
Center-based care, school-age $120
Home-based family care, infant $143
Home-based family care, toddler $132
Home-based family care, preschool $131
Home-based family care, school-age $118

Median weekly price for full-time care. U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Albuquerque prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Albuquerque?

Median rent is $1,015 for a one-bedroom and $1,225 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Albuquerque?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 33.5% pay less than $1,000 a month, 54.7% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 11.8% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Albuquerque?

To keep the median rent of $1,227 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $49,100 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Albuquerque more expensive than the U.S. average?

No. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Albuquerque, NM metro area at 95.5 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 4.5% below average. Housing rents score 89.2.

How long is the average commute in Albuquerque?

23.1 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).