Home › Compare › Houston, TX vs Albuquerque, NM

Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Albuquerque, NM

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

4.2% Albuquerque, NM is cheaper overall
4.3% 4.3% cheaper housing
2.1% 2.1% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 4.3% cheaper
Houston
92
Albuquerque
88
🛒 Groceries 2.1% more
Houston
94
Albuquerque
96
🚗 Transportation 4.0% cheaper
Houston
100
Albuquerque
96
🏥 Healthcare 3.2% cheaper
Houston
95
Albuquerque
92
⚡ Utilities 9.4% cheaper
Houston
106
Albuquerque
96

Detailed Breakdown

Category Houston, TX Albuquerque, NM Difference
Overall Cost Index96924.2% less
Housing92884.3% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,200$1,05012.5% less
Median Home Price$295,000$280,0005.1% less
Groceries94962.1% more
Transportation100964.0% less
Healthcare95923.2% less
Utilities106969.4% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Houston, TX Albuquerque, NM
State Income TaxNone (0%)5.90% (top)
State Sales Tax6.25%5.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%0.67%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Houston, TX
$67,000
Median household income
Albuquerque, NM
$58,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Albuquerque costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Albuquerque to maintain your Houston lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Houston (96) vs Albuquerque (92). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Houston4.5%
Albuquerque4.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
Houston3.1%
Albuquerque2.0%
Top Industries
HoustonEnergy, Healthcare, Aerospace
AlbuquerqueGovernment, Defense, Healthcare

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Houston30 min
Albuquerque22 min
Walk Score
Houston33
Albuquerque36
Air Quality (AQI)
Houston52
Albuquerque42
Avg Temperature
Houston70°F
Albuquerque57°F
Population
Houston2,304,580
Albuquerque564,559

Moving from Houston to Albuquerque?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Houston and Albuquerque → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Albuquerque →

Compare Other Cities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston or Albuquerque cheaper to live in?+
Albuquerque is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 4.3%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Houston vs Albuquerque?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,200/month in Houston and $1,050/month in Albuquerque — a difference of about $150 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Houston or Albuquerque?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. New Mexico has a state income tax of 5.90% (top) and sales tax of 5.00%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Houston to Albuquerque?+
Median household income in Houston is $67,000 compared to $58,000 in Albuquerque. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Houston vs Albuquerque?+
The median home price in Houston is $295,000 versus $280,000 in Albuquerque — a difference of $15,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while New Mexico averages 0.67%.