🙂A single person spends $1,400 per month in Asmara vs $2,371 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,194 per month in Asmara vs $3,563 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,988 per month in Asmara vs $4,756 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.
🙂Asmara is about 41% cheaper than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both Asmara and Albuquerque, NM sit above the global median – Asmara by 2%, Albuquerque, NM by 73%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$21.28ERN 320
$17.15$17.15
24.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.91ERN 510
$62.8$62.8
-45.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.15ERN 92.6
$10.04$10.04
-38.75%
Cappuccino
$0.83ERN 12.46
$5.28$5.28
-84.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98ERN 14.80
$2.90$2.90
-66.21%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99ERN 14.88
$2.35$2.35
-57.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.58ERN 8.78
$5.87$5.87
-90.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$7.89$7.89
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.58ERN 23.85
$0.97$0.97
62.89%
White Bread(500g)
-
$3.32$3.32
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.37ERN 35.61
$4.39$4.39
-46.01%
Eggs
$4.26ERN 64.1
$4.85$4.85
-12.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.93ERN 44.08
$11.63$11.63
-74.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$27.34ERN 411
$9.41$9.41
190.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.91ERN 149
$20.62$20.62
-51.94%
Apples(1kg)
$12.25ERN 184
$4.68$4.68
161.75%
Banana(1kg)
$1.25ERN 18.80
$1.42$1.42
-11.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.97ERN 29.69
$4.25$4.25
-53.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.14ERN 17.13
$5.24$5.24
-78.24%
Potato(1kg)
$1.85ERN 27.79
$3.12$3.12
-40.71%
Onion(1kg)
$0.91ERN 13.63
$3.20$3.20
-71.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.95$1.95
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.27ERN 34.24
$2.86$2.86
-20.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$10.37$10.37
-
Wine(Bottle)
$12.11ERN 182
$13.96$13.96
-13.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02ERN 15.38
$2.47$2.47
-58.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98ERN 14.79
$3.54$3.54
-72.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.11ERN 1.67
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.82ERN 118
$3.89$3.89
101.03%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$3.59$3.59
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.59ERN 8.83
$1.97$1.97
-70.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.97ERN 150
$31.54$31.54
-68.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.52ERN 37.99
$0.92$0.92
173.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$66.8KERN 1.0M
$30.1K$30.1K
122.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$70.8KERN 1.1M
$24.3K$24.3K
191.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$25.04ERN 377
$160$160
-84.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$69.0ERN 1,038
$63.7$63.7
8.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$198ERN 2,978
$71.1$71.1
178.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.53ERN 399
$49.47$49.47
-46.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.90ERN 73.7
$14.00$14.00
-65.00%
Cinema Ticket
$1.22ERN 18.30
$12.88$12.88
-90.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$25.05ERN 377
$1,511$1,511
-98.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,644ERN 39.8K
$25.0K$25.0K
-89.44%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$135ERN 2,037
$54.1$54.1
150.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$118ERN 1,772
$43.70$43.70
169.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$202ERN 3,037
$103$103
96.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$151ERN 2,270
$119$119
27.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$249ERN 3,743
$1,173$1,173
-78.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$200ERN 3,006
$1,096$1,096
-81.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$445ERN 6,698
$2,290$2,290
-80.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$418ERN 6,297
$1,998$1,998
-79.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,271ERN 19.1K
$2,540$2,540
-49.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,529ERN 38.1K
$2,264$2,264
11.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Asmara
Albuquerque, NM
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$3,906$3,906
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12
6.1
96.72%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Asmara: August 30, 2026
Last update for Albuquerque, NM: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $249 in Asmara versus $1,173 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 $34.00 in Asmara versus $63.0 in Albuquerque, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $366 vs $404 – 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 69% 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 $2,100 per month in Asmara and $3,557 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 much does it cost to live in Asmara compared to Albuquerque, NM?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,400 in Asmara and $2,371 in Albuquerque, NM. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Asmara compared to Albuquerque, NM?
Public transport costs about 101% less in Asmara. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
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 $1,400, than in Albuquerque, NM at $2,371. 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.