Cost of Living in Albuquerque, NM - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,049 (excluding rent), and $2,279 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,573 (excluding rent), and $4,783 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.5 $17.5

$12.21 $12.21

$24.43 $24.43

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.5 $78.5

$58.8 $58.8

$98.1 $98.1

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.01 $10.01

$8.51 $8.51

$12.02 $12.02

Cappuccino

$5.36 $5.36

$3.54 $3.54

$7.09 $7.09

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.53 $2.53

$4.06 $4.06

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.8 $1.8

$0.99 $0.99

$2.72 $2.72

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.12 $6.12

$7.14 $7.14

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.95 $7.95

$6.96 $6.96

$9.94 $9.94

Milk (1 liter)

$1 $1

$0.72 $0.72

$1.54 $1.54

White Bread (500g)

$2.97 $2.97

$2.23 $2.23

$4.18 $4.18

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.18 $3.18

$1.99 $1.99

$4.33 $4.33

Eggs

$4.53 $4.53

$1.92 $1.92

$7.1 $7.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.74 $12.74

$8.92 $8.92

$20.04 $20.04

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.27 $10.27

$5.52 $5.52

$17.66 $17.66

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.36 $20.36

$11.01 $11.01

$26.43 $26.43

Apples (1kg)

$4.75 $4.75

$2.15 $2.15

$6.02 $6.02

Banana (1kg)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.17 $1.17

$2.14 $2.14

Oranges (1kg)

$3.67 $3.67

$2.14 $2.14

$7.05 $7.05

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$2.13 $2.13

$5.38 $5.38

Potato (1kg)

$2.5 $2.5

$1.33 $1.33

$4.5 $4.5

Onion (1kg)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.97 $1.97

$3.08 $3.08

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.09 $1.09

$2.47 $2.47

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.31 $2.31

$1.53 $1.53

$5.1 $5.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.04 $10.04

$8.53 $8.53

$11.04 $11.04

Wine (Bottle)

$13.82 $13.82

$5.92 $5.92

$16.79 $16.79

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.73 $1.73

$1.63 $1.63

$1.89 $1.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.7 $2.7

$1.23 $1.23

$7.88 $7.88

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.22 $1.22

$1.95 $1.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.41 $3.41

$2.94 $2.94

$3.85 $3.85

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.85 $1.85

$2.08 $2.08

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.71 $28.71

$31.68 $31.68

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.84 $0.84

$0.73 $0.73

$1.02 $1.02

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31K $31K

$30.5K $30.5K

$35K $35K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.7K $25.7K

$25.5K $25.5K

$26.8K $26.8K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$180 $180

$99.3 $99.3

$409 $409

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$52.6 $52.6

$29.95 $29.95

$89.8 $89.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.3 $67.3

$49.2 $49.2

$83.6 $83.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.71 $44.71

$30.14 $30.14

$60.3 $60.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.85 $4.85

Cinema Ticket

$13.71 $13.71

$10.47 $10.47

$15.96 $15.96

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,257 $1,257

$1,020 $1,020

$1,427 $1,427

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,946 $5,946

$27K $27K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.2 $53.2

$24.87 $24.87

$74.6 $74.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$30.1 $30.1

$89.3 $89.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$74.7 $74.7

$129 $129

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 $116

$81.4 $81.4

$132 $132

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,151 $1,151

$905 $905

$1,357 $1,357

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,052 $1,052

$869 $869

$1,500 $1,500

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,194 $2,194

$1,877 $1,877

$2,963 $2,963

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,981 $1,981

$1,410 $1,410

$2,518 $2,518

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,458 $2,458

$2,238 $2,238

$2,917 $2,917

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,229 $2,229

$1,998 $1,998

$2,457 $2,457

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,959 $3,959

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.49

6.19

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Albuquerque, NM - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, Albuquerque often feels like good value for a mid-sized American city. Cost of Living in Albuquerque, NM, United States sits lower than many coastal hubs, with flexible housing options and affordable dining compared to larger metros. You’ll notice a strong local economy, a compact downtown, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Seasonal events, festivals, and a slower pace can keep daily expenses predictable. Neighborhood differences matter: some central districts are pricier, while newer suburbs offer more breathing room. Tip: start with a month-long stay in a couple of neighborhoods to gauge daily costs and seasonal swings before committing.

Daily life in Albuquerque blends practicality with outdoor appeal. For housing, you’ll find a mix of casitas, bungalows, and modern rentals; long leases help stabilize monthly costs. Food options range from local farmers markets to Mexican eateries, with groceries that stay affordable if you shop seasonal produce. Getting around can be done by car, while buses and bike-friendly routes offer cheaper, slower options for errands and co-working visits. You’ll notice the Albuquerque, NM, United States living cost varies by neighborhood and season, so plan ahead for summer travel or peak events. Tip: choose a neighborhood with easy transit to work or coworking spaces.

Quality of life in Albuquerque rests on balancing outdoor access with affordable living. A practical budgeting framework helps: plan housing first, then essentials and flexible spending. Use a simple rule to split your budget among housing, groceries/essentials, and leisure to keep control without micromanaging every dollar. Seasonality affects energy use (AC in summer) and event calendars, so anticipate crowded periods and plan ahead. For neighborhoods, aim for areas with walkable streets, access to parks, and quick routes to central amenities; Nob Hill, Downtown, and North Valley offer different vibes for remote work. Tip: build a monthly cap for dining and transit to stay flexible.