salaryAlbuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico that we track, with 562,218 residents. Rent is lower than in 63% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.0 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $56,040 a year. That is $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Mexico cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of New Mexico. It is number 33 of 44 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Albuquerque with other big cities
Compare Albuquerque to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Albuquerque?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Albuquerque
| Size | Albuquerque | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $905 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,006 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,284 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,622 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,893 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Albuquerque overall?
Everyday prices in the Albuquerque metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 95.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Albuquerque
Life in Albuquerque
What jobs pay in Albuquerque
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $147,000 | 11.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $140,950 | 11.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $139,920 | 12.0% |
| Software Developer | $123,700 | 13.6% |
| Lawyer | $114,610 | 14.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $105,080 | 16.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $98,220 | 17.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $96,040 | 17.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,900 | 17.5% |
| Operations Manager | $94,640 | 17.8% |
| Accountant | $79,880 | 21.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $75,520 | 22.3% |
| Police Officer | $73,380 | 22.9% |
| Plumber | $63,900 | 26.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,040 | 27.1% |
| Carpenter | $60,080 | 28.0% |
| Electrician | $59,120 | 28.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $57,370 | 29.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $57,110 | 29.4% |
| Truck Driver | $55,840 | 30.1% |
| Firefighter | $42,420 | 39.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,790 | 40.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,950 | 42.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,200 | 42.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,050 | 44.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,230 | 45.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,190 | 47.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,160 | 49.2% |
| Cashier | $30,540 | 55.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Albuquerque?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $622 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $291,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,150 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Albuquerque, NM?
Renting in Albuquerque costs a median of about $1,401 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Mexico median is $1,181.
How much do I need to make to live in Albuquerque?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $56,040 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Albuquerque cheap or expensive?
Albuquerque is rated OK: rent takes 22.8% of the typical household income of $73,680. It ranks 33rd cheapest of 44 New Mexico cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Albuquerque?
The median homeowner in Albuquerque pays $2,678 a year in property taxes, about 0.92% of the median home value.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Albuquerque?
The median home value in Albuquerque is $291,500, about 4.0 times the typical yearly household income.
562,218 people live in Albuquerque. Numbers are typical (middle) values.