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

Cost of Living: San Francisco, 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.

37.8% Albuquerque, NM is cheaper overall
58.1% 58.1% cheaper housing
16.5% 16.5% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 58.1% cheaper
San Francisco
210
Albuquerque
88
🛒 Groceries 16.5% cheaper
San Francisco
115
Albuquerque
96
🚗 Transportation 25.0% cheaper
San Francisco
128
Albuquerque
96
🏥 Healthcare 22.0% cheaper
San Francisco
118
Albuquerque
92
⚡ Utilities 11.1% cheaper
San Francisco
108
Albuquerque
96

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Francisco, CA Albuquerque, NM Difference
Overall Cost Index1489237.8% less
Housing2108858.1% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,000$1,05065.0% less
Median Home Price$1,250,000$280,00077.6% less
Groceries1159616.5% less
Transportation1289625.0% less
Healthcare1189222.0% less
Utilities1089611.1% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA
$130,000
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 Francisco lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Francisco (148) vs Albuquerque (92). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Francisco3.8%
Albuquerque4.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Francisco3.2%
Albuquerque2.0%
Top Industries
San FranciscoTech, Biotech, Finance
AlbuquerqueGovernment, Defense, Healthcare

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Francisco34 min
Albuquerque22 min
Walk Score
San Francisco87
Albuquerque36
Air Quality (AQI)
San Francisco42
Albuquerque42
Avg Temperature
San Francisco57°F
Albuquerque57°F
Population
San Francisco808,437
Albuquerque564,559

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Planning Your Move?

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco 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 58.1%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Francisco vs Albuquerque?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,000/month in San Francisco and $1,050/month in Albuquerque — a difference of about $1,950 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Francisco 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 Francisco to Albuquerque?+
Median household income in San Francisco is $130,000 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 Francisco vs Albuquerque?+
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,250,000 versus $280,000 in Albuquerque — a difference of $970,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while New Mexico averages 0.67%.