🙂A single person spends $1,475 per month in Asmara vs $2,253 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,207 per month in Asmara vs $3,513 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,938 per month in Asmara vs $4,773 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂Asmara is about 35% cheaper than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Asmara and Albuquerque, NM sit above the global median – Asmara by 10%, Albuquerque, NM by 68%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.41ERN 186
$17.37$17.37
-28.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.57ERN 444
$80.3$80.3
-63.18%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.89ERN 88.4
$10.09$10.09
-41.63%
Cappuccino
$0.79ERN 11.86
$5.36$5.36
-85.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84ERN 27.67
$2.74$2.74
-32.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37ERN 20.52
$1.77$1.77
-22.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.02ERN 15.32
$5.89$5.89
-82.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01ERN 30.18
$7.82$7.82
-74.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65ERN 24.77
$1.06$1.06
55.66%
White Bread(500g)
$0.51ERN 7.66
$2.86$2.86
-82.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.93ERN 29.02
$3.30$3.30
-41.52%
Eggs
$4.41ERN 66.1
$4.46$4.46
-1.12%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.03ERN 45.49
$12.63$12.63
-76.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$26.43ERN 396
$10.06$10.06
162.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.11ERN 152
$20.41$20.41
-50.47%
Apples(1kg)
$12.13ERN 182
$4.98$4.98
143.57%
Banana(1kg)
$1.31ERN 19.71
$1.38$1.38
-5.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87ERN 28.05
$3.68$3.68
-49.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.26ERN 18.84
$4.42$4.42
-71.49%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79ERN 26.84
$2.40$2.40
-25.42%
Onion(1kg)
$1.09ERN 16.41
$2.48$2.48
-56.05%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.64ERN 9.57
$1.95$1.95
-67.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.13ERN 31.95
$2.33$2.33
-8.58%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.02ERN 30.37
$9.81$9.81
-79.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.09ERN 181
$13.95$13.95
-13.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99ERN 14.82
$1.79$1.79
-44.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.19ERN 17.81
$2.72$2.72
-56.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.14ERN 2.05
$2.04$2.04
-93.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.21ERN 123
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.64ERN 9.62
$3.45$3.45
-81.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.62ERN 9.23
$1.79$1.79
-65.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.08ERN 121
$29.38$29.38
-72.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.13ERN 31.98
$0.83$0.83
156.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$65.8KERN 987.2K
$31.1K$31.1K
111.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$69.5KERN 1.0M
$25.5K$25.5K
172.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$27.37ERN 411
$184$184
-85.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$67.2ERN 1,008
$52.2$52.2
28.69%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$201ERN 3,015
$69.2$69.2
190.42%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.11ERN 407
$44.62$44.62
-39.24%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.42ERN 111
$4.88$4.88
52.05%
Cinema Ticket
$1.09ERN 16.33
$13.59$13.59
-91.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$24.59ERN 369
$1,212$1,212
-97.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,681ERN 25.2K
$6,005$6,005
-72.01%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.6ERN 1,224
$52.6$52.6
55.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$76.5ERN 1,147
$51.1$51.1
49.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$204ERN 3,055
$95.0$95.0
114.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.3ERN 1,444
$115$115
-16.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$473ERN 7,091
$1,157$1,157
-59.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$396ERN 5,947
$1,072$1,072
-63.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$721ERN 10.8K
$2,230$2,230
-67.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$659ERN 9,889
$1,986$1,986
-66.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,278ERN 19.2K
$2,529$2,529
-49.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,478ERN 37.2K
$2,243$2,243
10.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$3,971$3,971
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12
6.49
84.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Asmara: April 21, 2026
Last update for Albuquerque, NM: April 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $473 in Asmara versus $1,157 in Albuquerque, NM. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $30 in Asmara versus $80 in Albuquerque, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $368 vs $380 – making Asmara 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
Asmara vs Albuquerque, NM: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Asmara or Albuquerque, NM?
Albuquerque, NM costs about 53% more than Asmara, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Asmara vs Albuquerque, NM?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,213 per month in Asmara and $3,380 in Albuquerque, NM. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Asmara or Albuquerque, NM?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Asmara, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Asmara vs Albuquerque, NM?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in Asmara and $80.0 in Albuquerque, NM. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Asmara or Albuquerque, NM?
Groceries cost about 3% more in Albuquerque, NM, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Asmara or Albuquerque, NM?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Asmara, where all-in costs run around $1,475, than in Albuquerque, NM at $2,253. In Asmara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Albuquerque, NM it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Asmara – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Asmara compared to Albuquerque, NM?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Asmara or Albuquerque, NM?
If budget matters most, go with Asmara. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Albuquerque, NM makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.