🙂A single person spends $1,485 per month in Asmara vs $2,289 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,202 per month in Asmara vs $3,538 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,920 per month in Asmara vs $4,787 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂Asmara is about 35% cheaper than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both Asmara and Albuquerque, NM sit above the global median – Asmara by 11%, Albuquerque, NM by 71%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.15ERN 183
$17.01$17.01
-28.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.76ERN 447
$81.0$81.0
-63.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.95ERN 89.5
$9.86$9.86
-39.66%
Cappuccino
$0.80ERN 12.05
$5.13$5.13
-84.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85ERN 27.86
$2.78$2.78
-33.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30ERN 19.57
$1.80$1.80
-27.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.99ERN 14.86
$6.16$6.16
-83.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96ERN 29.41
$8.04$8.04
-75.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.61ERN 24.16
$1.05$1.05
53.33%
White Bread(500g)
$0.52ERN 7.85
$3.00$3.00
-82.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.94ERN 29.20
$3.20$3.20
-39.38%
Eggs
$4.61ERN 69.3
$4.36$4.36
5.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.07ERN 46.14
$12.68$12.68
-75.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$26.55ERN 399
$10.41$10.41
155.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.06ERN 151
$20.32$20.32
-50.49%
Apples(1kg)
$12.33ERN 185
$4.89$4.89
152.15%
Banana(1kg)
$1.25ERN 18.76
$1.45$1.45
-13.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.84ERN 27.67
$3.79$3.79
-51.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.20ERN 18.04
$4.40$4.40
-72.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79ERN 26.83
$2.38$2.38
-24.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.04ERN 15.67
$2.45$2.45
-57.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.68ERN 10.23
$2.02$2.02
-66.34%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.12ERN 31.81
$2.30$2.30
-7.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.97ERN 29.64
$9.84$9.84
-79.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.84ERN 343
$14.04$14.04
62.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.98ERN 14.74
$1.75$1.75
-44.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14ERN 17.15
$2.80$2.80
-59.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.12ERN 1.87
$2.03$2.03
-94.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.14ERN 122
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.65ERN 9.70
$3.47$3.47
-81.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.65ERN 9.75
$1.81$1.81
-64.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.47ERN 127
$28.73$28.73
-70.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.16ERN 32.39
$0.79$0.79
173.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$67.3KERN 1.0M
$30.6K$30.6K
119.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$69.4KERN 1.0M
$25.9K$25.9K
168.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$26.98ERN 406
$185$185
-85.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$67.5ERN 1,014
$52.5$52.5
28.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$201ERN 3,026
$69.1$69.1
191.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.10ERN 407
$44.94$44.94
-39.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.70ERN 116
$5.02$5.02
53.39%
Cinema Ticket
$1.07ERN 16.05
$13.49$13.49
-92.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$25.43ERN 382
$1,214$1,214
-97.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,659ERN 24.9K
$6,042$6,042
-72.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.7ERN 1,243
$53.2$53.2
55.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$73.5ERN 1,105
$50.2$50.2
46.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$202ERN 3,029
$96.7$96.7
108.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$93.9ERN 1,411
$113$113
-17.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$477ERN 7,174
$1,159$1,159
-58.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$399ERN 5,992
$1,067$1,067
-62.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$724ERN 10.9K
$2,236$2,236
-67.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$637ERN 9,580
$1,971$1,971
-67.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,222ERN 33.4K
$2,457$2,457
-9.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,255ERN 33.9K
$2,215$2,215
1.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,000ERN 15.0K
$4,064$4,064
-75.40%
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: July 22, 2026
Last update for Albuquerque, NM: July 19, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $477 in Asmara versus $1,159 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.
💰Salaries run about 306% higher in Albuquerque, NM, 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 $30.00 in Asmara versus $81.0 in Albuquerque, NM. Groceries tell a different story – $391 in Asmara vs $382 in Albuquerque, NM – so Albuquerque, NM wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 54% more than Asmara, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. 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 and in Albuquerque, NM?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,228 per month in Asmara and $3,434 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 and in Albuquerque, NM?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in Asmara and $81.0 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 in Albuquerque, NM?
Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in Albuquerque, NM – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Asmara or in Albuquerque, NM?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Asmara, where all-in costs run around $1,485, than in Albuquerque, NM at $2,289. 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 to 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.