Are you considering a move to Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, and wondering about the cost of living? Albuquerque, New Mexico is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Albuquerque, New Mexico and help you understand whether $3840 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $4581.72.
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Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
18.0 $ |
|
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Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
110.0 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
10.0 $ |
|
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Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
6.5 $ |
|
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Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
6.5 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
5.0 $ |
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Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
2.69 $ |
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Water (12 oz small bottle) |
2.19 $ |
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Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.01 $ |
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Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
3.43 $ |
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Rice (white), (1 lb) |
3.26 $ |
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Eggs (regular) (12) |
4.03 $ |
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Local Cheese (1 lb) |
15.86 $ |
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Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
10.22 $ |
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Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
18.36 $ |
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Apples (1 lb) |
5.04 $ |
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Banana (1 lb) |
1.38 $ |
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Oranges (1 lb) |
5.64 $ |
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Tomato (1 lb) |
4.77 $ |
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Potato (1 lb) |
2.68 $ |
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Onion (1 lb) |
2.56 $ |
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Lettuce (1 head) |
2.34 $ |
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Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
1.61 $ |
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Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
12.0 $ |
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Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
1.96 $ |
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Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
3.5 $ |
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Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
9.0 $ |
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Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
1.0 $ |
|
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Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
40.0 $ |
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Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
3.05 $ |
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Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
3.05 $ |
|
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Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
46.0 $ |
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Gasoline (1 gallon) |
1.0 $ |
|
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Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
25500.0 $ |
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Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
23375.0 $ |
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Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
234.95 $ |
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1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
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Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
88.22 $ |
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Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
74.75 $ |
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Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
35.0 $ |
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Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
12.75 $ |
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Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
1350.0 $ |
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International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
14666.67 $ |
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Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
66.17 $ |
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1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
64.3 $ |
|
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1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
122.45 $ |
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1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
141.23 $ |
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Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
1772.73 $ |
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Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
1377.11 $ |
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Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
2838.33 $ |
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Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
2410.62 $ |
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Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
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Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
6229.91 $ |
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Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
3742.61 $ |
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Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
4581.72 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
6.49 % |
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The monthly expenses for living in Albuquerque, New Mexico come to a total of approximately $3840. This includes an average monthly rent of around $1772 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $279 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $1052 per month.
Living in Albuquerque, New Mexico appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $4581.72. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you would likely need an income exceeding $4581.72.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $4581.72, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Albuquerque, New Mexico is approximately $1772. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $1377.11 for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in Albuquerque, New Mexico can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $798 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in United States can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout United States.
There's a medium risk in Albuquerque, but it's bordering on a high risk due to high crime rates. Violent crime has been on the rise in recent years, but property crimes have been going down. We will dig into the data to see how much crime rates impact tourists.
ABQ Ride is the public transportation system here with 40 fixed routes daily. Through June 2023, rides are free. However, it's important you know about some of the violent behavior reported and caught on camera on some buses. One bus driver said, "We’re dealing with mental illness. We’re dealing with alcoholism, drug addiction, homelessness – on every route, every day." The Route 66 bus to Uptown historically has the most violence. I can't recommend riding the bus, but if you have no other choice, use the utmost caution. Much of the violence is targeted at bus drivers. You can get taxis and rideshares here too, and rental cars are available. Overall, there's a high risk of riding the bus and a medium risk overall. Especially when you consider half of the thefts are related to car break-ins.
Theft rates have been cut in half since 2017. That sounds like good news, right? Kinda. The theft rate is still two and a half times the national average. There's a medium risk, even though pickpockets and purse snatching have also been cut in half over the past five years. Don't walk around with cash, and try to avoid carrying a purse if you can.
Wildfires are the biggest risk here. Even smoke from fires far away can impact air quality. Flash flooding is another risk, and you should never try to cross a flooded roadway. You might get severe thunderstorms here with an occasional tornado. There's a medium risk overall.
This is another medium risk. The robbery rate peaked in 2017, but even with a decline, it is still four times the national average. About 20% or fewer of the robberies are in public places.
With a strong military presence at White Sands Missile Range and Los Alamos National Laboratory, on top of the large population, there's a medium risk in Albuquerque and all of New Mexico. There's also a strong Homeland Security presence.
A recent scam exposed a man posing as a military officer to get money out of women through online dating apps. Fraud was up 64% in 2020, so there's medium risk. Avoid any "too good to be true" deals and never wire money or buy gift cards to pay someone.
The sexual assault rate is four times the national average, and women need to use a great deal of caution here. This includes avoiding being out at night alone. Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be home. Don't bring big purses out with you, and never take a drink from someone if you haven't seen the bartender make it.
Nearly 6000 samples are taken each year to test water for contaminants. The 2021 Water Quality Report shows full compliance and no violations in tap water. This is the only area that gets a low risk in all the safety concerns of New Mexico. Keep in mind that flash flooding could have an impact on water quality. If it floods when you're there, check with the city for any water issues.
You'll need a U.S. Travel or Work Visa to enter the United States through Customs at the airport or when you cross the border. That will cost a minimum of $160. You'll need to go through several steps of the approval process, including an in-person interview. You will only need to show your visa at the airport, so store it in a safe place during your trip.
The U.S. Dollar (USD) is the only currency accepted here. There are plenty of places to exchange currency in this large city, and the airport has the option as well.
Albuquerque is sunny for 378 days of the year, so bring a hat or sunglasses. It rarely gets below freezing here, but winters are somewhat chilly. A warm jacket should suffice. Summers can be hot and dry, so bring extra lotion and a water bottle for hydration. You'll need to drink more water here than in more humid climates. Spring can bring strong winds and dust storms, so those COVID masks might be helpful to avoid respiratory irritation.
The Albuquerque airport is just 5 miles from downtown, so it's an easy trip to and from, whether by car or taxi. Since ABQ is so isolated, it will be the only airport nearby. For example, if you want to fly out of Phoenix it would be more than six hours on the road.
Travel insurance for your flight, baggage and health protection will be a great way to enjoy the trip with peace of mind. No trip is perfect, but being protected will go a long way.
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 49°F | 56°F | 64°F | 72°F | 81°F | 90°F | 92°F | 89°F | 83°F | 71°F | 58°F | 49°F |
| Temp | 37°F | 42°F | 49°F | 57°F | 67°F | 77°F | 79°F | 76°F | 70°F | 58°F | 46°F | 37°F |
| Low | 28°F | 32°F | 38°F | 45°F | 54°F | 63°F | 68°F | 66°F | 59°F | 47°F | 36°F | 29°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 9°C | 13°C | 17°C | 22°C | 27°C | 32°C | 33°C | 31°C | 28°C | 21°C | 14°C | 9°C |
| Temp | 2°C | 5°C | 9°C | 13°C | 19°C | 25°C | 26°C | 24°C | 21°C | 14°C | 7°C | 2°C |
| Low | -2°C | 0°C | 3°C | 7°C | 12°C | 17°C | 20°C | 18°C | 15°C | 8°C | 2°C | -1°C |