Median rent is 24% lower in Albuquerque ($1,145/mo vs $1,508/mo). Buying is cheaper in Albuquerque, where the median home runs $291,500 versus $392,800. Households earn more in Durham ($81,619 vs $68,317 a year). Taken together, Durham is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 93.6 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Durham, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Durham is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Durham vs 93.6 in Albuquerque (US national average = 100)
City A
Albuquerque, NM
City B
Durham, NC
How much would you need to earn in Durham, NC to maintain your standard of living from Albuquerque, NM?
Equivalent salary in Durham, NC
$73,639
You could earn $1,361 less (2% lower) and break even.
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
Durham
North Carolina
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Albuquerque — median rent of $1,145/mo versus $1,508/mo in Durham, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Durham: the median home is $392,800 versus $291,500 in Albuquerque — 26% more expensive.
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
Durham
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Albuquerque has cleaner air on average: 28.0 AQI (Good) compared to 33.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Durham if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,619/yr).
Pick Albuquerque if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,145/mo median).
Is Albuquerque cheaper than Durham?
Durham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 93.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Durham.
How much is rent in Albuquerque vs Durham?
Median rent is $1,145/mo in Albuquerque, NM and $1,508/mo in Durham, NC. Albuquerque, NM has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — Albuquerque or Durham?
Median household income is $68,317 in Albuquerque, NM and $81,619 in Durham, NC. Durham, NC 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?
Albuquerque, NM has better air quality on average: 28.0 AQI versus 33.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Albuquerque or Durham?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Durham to match my Albuquerque income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Albuquerque, NM is equivalent to roughly $98,185 in Durham, NC (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
