Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Albuquerque, NM Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Albuquerque, NM

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,661 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,253 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,544 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,513 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,427 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,773 in Albuquerque, NM, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 62% more than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Albuquerque, NM sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 173%, Albuquerque, NM by 68%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.32 $25.32

$17.37 $17.37

45.77%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$121 $121

$80.3 $80.3

50.88%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.11 $14.11

$10.09 $10.09

39.84%

Cappuccino

$5.82 $5.82

$5.36 $5.36

8.58%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$2.74 $2.74

8.76%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.40 $2.40

$1.77 $1.77

35.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.73 $7.73

$5.89 $5.89

31.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.87 $7.87

$7.82 $7.82

0.64%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.06 $1.06

26.42%

White Bread (500g)

$4.91 $4.91

$2.86 $2.86

71.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.30 $3.30

55.76%

Eggs

$6.57 $6.57

$4.46 $4.46

47.31%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$24.64 $24.64

$12.63 $12.63

95.09%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.88 $15.88

$10.06 $10.06

57.85%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.14 $20.14

$20.41 $20.41

-1.32%

Apples (1kg)

$6.27 $6.27

$4.98 $4.98

25.90%

Banana (1kg)

$2.86 $2.86

$1.38 $1.38

107.25%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$3.68 $3.68

43.75%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$4.42 $4.42

44.57%

Potato (1kg)

$3.21 $3.21

$2.40 $2.40

33.75%

Onion (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$2.48 $2.48

54.44%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.95 $1.95

40.51%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.33 $2.33

10.73%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.64 $11.64

$9.81 $9.81

18.65%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.77 $15.77

$13.95 $13.95

13.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.88 $2.88

$1.79 $1.79

60.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.72 $2.72

61.40%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.76 $2.76

$2.04 $2.04

35.29%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.8 $98.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 $2.67

$3.45 $3.45

-22.61%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.79 $1.79

-5.03%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.74 $29.74

$29.38 $29.38

1.23%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.83 $0.83

37.35%

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

$32.9K $32.9K

$31.1K $31.1K

5.91%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.5K $25.5K

1.78%

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

$268 $268

$184 $184

45.61%

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

$60.9 $60.9

$52.2 $52.2

16.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.2 $76.2

$69.2 $69.2

10.08%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.1 $78.1

$44.62 $44.62

74.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.15 $40.15

$4.88 $4.88

722.75%

Cinema Ticket

$15.82 $15.82

$13.59 $13.59

16.41%

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

$2,252 $2,252

$1,212 $1,212

85.82%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K $29.7K

$6,005 $6,005

394.49%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.8 $70.8

$52.6 $52.6

34.47%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.1 $53.1

$51.1 $51.1

3.93%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$95.0 $95.0

23.43%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$115 $115

20.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,310 $2,310

$1,157 $1,157

99.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,849 $1,849

$1,072 $1,072

72.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,739 $4,739

$2,230 $2,230

112.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,556 $3,556

$1,986 $1,986

79.01%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,775 $7,775

$2,529 $2,529

207.37%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,351 $5,351

$2,243 $2,243

138.50%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,575 $6,575

$3,971 $3,971

65.56%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.49

-1.08%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: April 21, 2026

Last update for Albuquerque, NM: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,310 in Seattle, WA 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.

Salaries run about 66% higher in Seattle, WA, 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 $121 in Seattle, WA versus $80 in Albuquerque, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $539 vs $380 – 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

Seattle, WA vs Albuquerque, NM: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle, WA costs about 62% more than Albuquerque, NM, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,491 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,380 in Albuquerque, NM. 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 $121 in Seattle, WA and $80.0 in Albuquerque, NM. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 42% more in Seattle, WA, 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 Seattle, WA at $3,661. In Albuquerque, NM it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Albuquerque, NM costs $2,253 versus $3,661 in Seattle, WA. 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, Seattle, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.