What is the monthly cost of living in Albuquerque, NM?

The cost of living in Albuquerque, NM varies by lifestyle. See the detailed price breakdown below covering housing, food, transport, and utilities.

Is Albuquerque, NM expensive compared to other cities in United States?

Each city has a different affordability index. Albuquerque, NM's index is 7.0 (higher is better).

Cost of Living

Cost of Living in Albuquerque, NM

Avg. Salary

3,985

$/mo

City Centre Rent

1,167

$/mo

Affordability Index

7.0

Estimated Monthly Budget in Albuquerque, NM

👤

Single Person

1,853

$/mo

✓ Covered by salary

👫

Couple

3,057

$/mo

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family of 4

4,818

$/mo

Estimate includes: rent (1BR city centre) + weekly groceries (15 staples) × 4 + monthly transport pass + utilities (water/electricity) + internet + mobile plan + 4 restaurant meals/month. * Approximate, varies by lifestyle.

We present a detailed cost of living analysis for Albuquerque, NM in 2026. The average net salary in Albuquerque, NM is 3,985 $, while a one-bedroom city-centre apartment rents for 1,167 $/month — 29% of monthly income. Use the detailed table below to compare prices with other cities in United States.

Figures shown are sourced from Numbeo and the latest local resident surveys, updated August 2026. Percentages (+X% or -X%) show the price difference vs. the United States national average — green means below average, red means above.

Calculate Your Budget in Albuquerque, NM

Enter your monthly salary to see expense breakdown

My monthly net salary

Rent

Food

Transport

Utilities

Eating out

Remaining for savings & leisure

* Estimate based on local average prices. Actual expenses vary by lifestyle.

Price Breakdown by Category

Food & Restaurants in Albuquerque, NM

Restaurants

7 items

Bottled Water (0.33 Liter)

-3%

–

Cappuccino (Regular Size)

-3%

–

Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal)

-4%

–

Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter)

+4%

–

Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant

-9%

–

Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks)

-8%

–

Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle)

+16%

–

Markets

19 items

Apples (1 kg)

-4%

–

Bananas (1 kg)

-44%

–

Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg)

+8%

–

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

-9%

–

Bottled Water (1.5 Liter)

+9%

–

Chicken Fillets (1 kg)

-24%

–

Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro)

-8%

–

Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle)

-9%

–

Eggs (12, Large Size)

+15%

–

Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf)

-1%

–

Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle)

-3%

–

Lettuce (1 Head)

-11%

–

Local Cheese (1 kg)

–

Milk (Regular, 1 Liter)

-7%

–

Onions (1 kg)

–

Oranges (1 kg)

-17%

–

Potatoes (1 kg)

-1%

–

Tomatoes (1 kg)

+7%

–

White Rice (1 kg)

-6%

–

Transportation in Albuquerque, NM

Transportation

8 items

Gasoline (1 Liter)

–

Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price)

-92%

One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)

—

Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff)

+12%

–

Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff)

+5%

–

Taxi Start (Standard Tariff)

-8%

–

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car)

-6%

–

Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car)

-7%

–

Utilities & Services in Albuquerque, NM

Utilities (Monthly)

3 items

Basic Utilities for 85 m2Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)

-22%

–

Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher)

+10%

–

Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data)

+7%

–

Childcare

2 items

International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child

+6%

–

Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child

+3%

–

Food & Restaurants in Albuquerque, NM

Restaurants

Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) 2 $

Cappuccino (Regular Size) 5 $

Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) 11 $

Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) 6 $

Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant 17 $

Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) 67 $

Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) 3 $

Markets

Apples (1 kg) 5 $

Bananas (1 kg) 1 $

Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) 20 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 14 $

Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) 3 $

Chicken Fillets (1 kg) 9 $

Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) 10 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) 2 $

Eggs (12, Large Size) 5 $

Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) 3 $

Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) 4 $

Lettuce (1 Head) 2 $

Local Cheese (1 kg) 12 $

Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) 1 $

Onions (1 kg) 3 $

Oranges (1 kg) 4 $

Potatoes (1 kg) 3 $

Tomatoes (1 kg) 5 $

White Rice (1 kg) 4 $

Transportation in Albuquerque, NM

Transportation

Gasoline (1 Liter) 1 $

Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) 4 $

One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) —

Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) 32 $

Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) 2 $

Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) 4 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) 24,745 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) 30,680 $

Utilities & Services in Albuquerque, NM

Utilities (Monthly)

Basic Utilities for 85 m2Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) 158 $

Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) 72 $

Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) 64 $

Childcare

International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child 25,175 $

Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child 1,500 $

Below national average Above national average

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