Home › Compare › San Antonio, TX vs Albuquerque, NM

Cost of Living: San Antonio, 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.

2.2% Albuquerque, NM is more expensive overall
7.3% 7.3% more expensive housing
4.3% 4.3% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 7.3% more
San Antonio
82
Albuquerque
88
🛒 Groceries 4.3% more
San Antonio
92
Albuquerque
96
🚗 Transportation 2.1% more
San Antonio
94
Albuquerque
96
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
San Antonio
93
Albuquerque
92
⚡ Utilities 5.0% cheaper
San Antonio
101
Albuquerque
96

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Antonio, TX Albuquerque, NM Difference
Overall Cost Index90922.2% more
Housing82887.3% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$1,050~Same
Median Home Price$255,000$280,0009.8% more
Groceries92964.3% more
Transportation94962.1% more
Healthcare9392~Same
Utilities101965.0% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Antonio, 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

San Antonio, TX
$58,000
Median household income
Albuquerque, NM
$58,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Albuquerque costs more but median income is only slightly higher. 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 San Antonio lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Antonio (90) vs Albuquerque (92). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Antonio4.2%
Albuquerque4.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Antonio2.6%
Albuquerque2.0%
Top Industries
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism
AlbuquerqueGovernment, Defense, Healthcare

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Antonio25 min
Albuquerque22 min
Walk Score
San Antonio36
Albuquerque36
Air Quality (AQI)
San Antonio42
Albuquerque42
Avg Temperature
San Antonio69°F
Albuquerque57°F
Population
San Antonio1,451,853
Albuquerque564,559

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Antonio 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

San Antonio vs Austin → San Antonio vs Denver → San Antonio vs Nashville → Albuquerque vs Raleigh → Albuquerque vs Portland → Albuquerque vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio or Albuquerque cheaper to live in?+
San Antonio is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 7.3%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs Albuquerque?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in San Antonio and $1,050/month in Albuquerque — a difference of about $0 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Antonio 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 San Antonio to Albuquerque?+
Median household income in San Antonio is $58,000 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 San Antonio vs Albuquerque?+
The median home price in San Antonio is $255,000 versus $280,000 in Albuquerque — a difference of $25,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while New Mexico averages 0.67%.