Cost of Living Comparison Between Albuquerque, NM and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Albuquerque, NM and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,253 per month in Albuquerque, NM vs $3,051 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,513 per month in Albuquerque, NM vs $4,638 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,773 per month in Albuquerque, NM vs $6,224 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Albuquerque, NM is about 26% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Albuquerque, NM and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Albuquerque, NM by 68%, Chicago, IL by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.37 $17.37

$20.67 $20.67

-15.97%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.3 $80.3

$100 $100

-20.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.09 $10.09

$11.86 $11.86

-14.92%

Cappuccino

$5.36 $5.36

$5.54 $5.54

-3.25%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$3.06 $3.06

-10.46%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.48 $2.48

-28.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.89 $5.89

$6.92 $6.92

-14.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.82 $7.82

$8.13 $8.13

-3.81%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.04 $1.04

1.92%

White Bread (500g)

$2.86 $2.86

$3.91 $3.91

-26.85%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.30 $3.30

$5.42 $5.42

-39.11%

Eggs

$4.46 $4.46

$4.48 $4.48

-0.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.63 $12.63

$14.52 $14.52

-13.02%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.06 $10.06

$15.21 $15.21

-33.86%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.41 $20.41

$19.25 $19.25

6.03%

Apples (1kg)

$4.98 $4.98

$5.39 $5.39

-7.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.69 $1.69

-18.34%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.68 $3.68

$4.32 $4.32

-14.81%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.42 $4.42

$4.51 $4.51

-2.00%

Potato (1kg)

$2.40 $2.40

$2.56 $2.56

-6.25%

Onion (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.70 $2.70

-8.15%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.95 $1.95

$2.41 $2.41

-19.09%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.33 $2.33

$2.62 $2.62

-11.07%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.81 $9.81

$15.02 $15.02

-34.69%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.95 $13.95

$14.71 $14.71

-5.17%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.79 $1.79

$2.48 $2.48

-27.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$3.69 $3.69

-26.29%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.04 $2.04

$2.55 $2.55

-20.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.45 $3.45

$3.29 $3.29

4.86%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.79 $1.79

$1.43 $1.43

25.17%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.38 $29.38

$24.72 $24.72

18.85%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$1.09 $1.09

-23.85%

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

$31.1K $31.1K

$31.8K $31.8K

-2.17%

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

$25.5K $25.5K

$26.4K $26.4K

-3.58%

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

$184 $184

$183 $183

0.47%

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

$52.2 $52.2

$61.8 $61.8

-15.51%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.2 $69.2

$65.0 $65.0

6.43%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.62 $44.62

$76.1 $76.1

-41.35%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.88 $4.88

$13.04 $13.04

-62.58%

Cinema Ticket

$13.59 $13.59

$14.75 $14.75

-7.86%

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

$1,212 $1,212

$2,056 $2,056

-41.05%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,005 $6,005

$38.5K $38.5K

-84.40%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.6 $52.6

$63.9 $63.9

-17.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.1 $51.1

$51.6 $51.6

-0.89%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.0 $95.0

$97.3 $97.3

-2.36%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$115 $115

$147 $147

-21.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,157 $1,157

$2,349 $2,349

-50.74%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,072 $1,072

$1,581 $1,581

-32.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,230 $2,230

$4,708 $4,708

-52.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,986 $1,986

$2,716 $2,716

-26.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,529 $2,529

$3,976 $3,976

-36.39%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,243 $2,243

$2,632 $2,632

-14.75%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,971 $3,971

$4,723 $4,723

-15.92%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.49

6.6

-1.67%

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

Last update for Albuquerque, NM: April 22, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,157 in Albuquerque, NM versus $2,349 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 19% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $80 in Albuquerque, NM versus $100 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $380 vs $447 – making Albuquerque, NM the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Albuquerque, NM vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 35% more than Albuquerque, NM, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,380 per month in Albuquerque, NM and $4,577 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Albuquerque, NM, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $80.0 in Albuquerque, NM and $100 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 18% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Albuquerque, NM, where all-in costs run around $2,253, than in Chicago, IL at $3,051. In Albuquerque, NM it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Albuquerque, NM costs $2,253 versus $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Albuquerque, NM. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.