Home › Compare › San Diego, CA vs Albuquerque, NM

Cost of Living: San Diego, CA 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.

30.3% Albuquerque, NM is cheaper overall
47.6% 47.6% cheaper housing
11.1% 11.1% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 47.6% cheaper
San Diego
168
Albuquerque
88
🛒 Groceries 11.1% cheaper
San Diego
108
Albuquerque
96
🚗 Transportation 18.6% cheaper
San Diego
118
Albuquerque
96
🏥 Healthcare 17.9% cheaper
San Diego
112
Albuquerque
92
⚡ Utilities 7.7% cheaper
San Diego
104
Albuquerque
96

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Diego, CA Albuquerque, NM Difference
Overall Cost Index1329230.3% less
Housing1688847.6% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,300$1,05054.3% less
Median Home Price$820,000$280,00065.9% less
Groceries1089611.1% less
Transportation1189618.6% less
Healthcare1129217.9% less
Utilities104967.7% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Diego, CA Albuquerque, NM
State Income Tax13.30% (top)5.90% (top)
State Sales Tax7.25%5.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.67%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Diego, CA
$89,000
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 San Diego lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Diego (132) vs Albuquerque (92). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Diego4.0%
Albuquerque4.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Diego2.9%
Albuquerque2.0%
Top Industries
San DiegoDefense, Biotech, Tourism
AlbuquerqueGovernment, Defense, Healthcare

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Diego25 min
Albuquerque22 min
Walk Score
San Diego51
Albuquerque36
Air Quality (AQI)
San Diego45
Albuquerque42
Avg Temperature
San Diego64°F
Albuquerque57°F
Population
San Diego1,381,611
Albuquerque564,559

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Diego 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 Diego vs Austin → San Diego vs Denver → San Diego vs Nashville → Albuquerque vs Raleigh → Albuquerque vs Portland → Albuquerque vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego 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 47.6%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Diego vs Albuquerque?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,300/month in San Diego and $1,050/month in Albuquerque — a difference of about $1,250 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Diego or Albuquerque?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 Diego to Albuquerque?+
Median household income in San Diego is $89,000 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 Diego vs Albuquerque?+
The median home price in San Diego is $820,000 versus $280,000 in Albuquerque — a difference of $540,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while New Mexico averages 0.67%.