🙂A single person spends $1,483 per month in Asmara vs $2,259 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,175 per month in Asmara vs $3,436 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,866 per month in Asmara vs $4,612 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂Asmara is about 34% 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 69%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.52ERN 188
$17.04$17.04
-26.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.40ERN 457
$79.3$79.3
-61.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.14ERN 92.2
$9.81$9.81
-37.41%
Cappuccino
$0.74ERN 11.09
$5.17$5.17
-85.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88ERN 28.24
$2.76$2.76
-31.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36ERN 20.43
$1.79$1.79
-24.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.02ERN 15.31
$6.06$6.06
-83.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04ERN 30.65
$8.18$8.18
-75.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.59ERN 23.93
$1.04$1.04
52.88%
White Bread(500g)
$0.49ERN 7.35
$3.01$3.01
-83.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.94ERN 29.11
$3.17$3.17
-38.80%
Eggs
$4.44ERN 66.7
$4.40$4.40
0.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.05ERN 45.77
$12.80$12.80
-76.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$26.68ERN 401
$10.39$10.39
156.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.09ERN 152
$20.41$20.41
-50.56%
Apples(1kg)
$12.27ERN 184
$4.94$4.94
148.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.25ERN 18.78
$1.39$1.39
-10.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90ERN 28.61
$3.74$3.74
-49.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.18ERN 17.78
$4.59$4.59
-74.29%
Potato(1kg)
$1.78ERN 26.67
$2.39$2.39
-25.52%
Onion(1kg)
$1.06ERN 15.85
$2.52$2.52
-57.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.65ERN 9.77
$2.02$2.02
-67.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18ERN 32.80
$2.23$2.23
-2.24%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.97ERN 29.53
$10.11$10.11
-80.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.95ERN 179
$13.85$13.85
-13.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.01ERN 15.18
$1.82$1.82
-44.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.19ERN 17.86
$2.78$2.78
-57.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.14ERN 2.11
$2.04$2.04
-93.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.04ERN 121
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.68ERN 10.22
$3.56$3.56
-80.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61ERN 9.22
$1.79$1.79
-65.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.27ERN 124
$29.57$29.57
-72.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.18ERN 32.81
$0.80$0.80
172.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$65.8KERN 988.1K
$31.3K$31.3K
110.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$69.2KERN 1.0M
$26.3K$26.3K
162.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$27.01ERN 406
$181$181
-85.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$67.8ERN 1,018
$51.9$51.9
30.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$201ERN 3,016
$68.4$68.4
193.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.53ERN 414
$44.67$44.67
-38.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.68ERN 115
$4.95$4.95
55.15%
Cinema Ticket
$1.13ERN 16.99
$13.62$13.62
-91.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$25.33ERN 380
$1,241$1,241
-97.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,678ERN 25.2K
$6,071$6,071
-72.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.0ERN 1,216
$53.5$53.5
51.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$74.2ERN 1,114
$50.4$50.4
47.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$197ERN 2,960
$96.2$96.2
104.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.8ERN 1,424
$115$115
-17.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$467ERN 7,012
$1,164$1,164
-59.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$405ERN 6,079
$1,036$1,036
-60.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$737ERN 11.1K
$2,223$2,223
-66.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$659ERN 9,902
$1,967$1,967
-66.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,247ERN 18.7K
$2,473$2,473
-49.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,483ERN 37.3K
$2,201$2,201
12.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$3,961$3,961
-
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: June 1, 2026
Last update for Albuquerque, NM: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $467 in Asmara versus $1,164 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 $30.00 in Asmara versus $79.0 in Albuquerque, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $369 vs $383 – 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 52% 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 vs Albuquerque, NM?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,225 per month in Asmara and $3,389 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 $79.0 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 4% 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 $1,483, than in Albuquerque, NM at $2,259. 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.