Median rent is 12% lower in Albuquerque ($1,145/mo vs $1,295/mo). Buying is cheaper in Columbus, where the median home runs $252,900 versus $291,500. Households earn more in Albuquerque ($68,317 vs $66,082 a year). Taken together, Albuquerque is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 93.6 against 94.6 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Albuquerque, NM.
Cost of living verdict
Albuquerque is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 93.6 in Albuquerque vs 94.6 in Columbus (US national average = 100)
City A
Albuquerque, NM
City B
Columbus, OH
How much would you need to earn in Columbus, OH to maintain your standard of living from Albuquerque, NM?
Equivalent salary in Columbus, OH
$75,803
You'd need $803 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Albuquerque
New Mexico
Columbus
Ohio
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Albuquerque at $1,145/mo compared to $1,295/mo in Columbus (12% gap). Median home values are within 13% of each other: $291,500 in Albuquerque and $252,900 in Columbus.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Albuquerque
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Columbus
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Columbus has cleaner air on average: 22.0 AQI (Good) compared to 28.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Albuquerque if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,145/mo median).
Pick Columbus if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 22.0).
Is Albuquerque cheaper than Columbus?
Albuquerque is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 93.6 versus 94.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Albuquerque.
How much is rent in Albuquerque vs Columbus?
Median rent is $1,145/mo in Albuquerque, NM and $1,295/mo in Columbus, OH. Albuquerque, NM has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Albuquerque or Columbus?
Median household income is $68,317 in Albuquerque, NM and $66,082 in Columbus, OH. Albuquerque, NM has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Columbus, OH has better air quality on average: 22.0 AQI versus 28.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Albuquerque or Columbus?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Columbus to match my Albuquerque income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Albuquerque, NM is equivalent to roughly $101,071 in Columbus, OH (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
