Median rent is 12% lower in Albuquerque ($1,145/mo vs $1,296/mo). Buying is cheaper in Gainesville, where the median home runs $247,500 versus $291,500. Households earn more in Albuquerque ($68,317 vs $46,195 a year). Taken together, Albuquerque is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 93.6 against 94.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Albuquerque, NM.
City A
Albuquerque, NM
City B
Gainesville, FL
How much would you need to earn in Gainesville, FL to maintain your standard of living from Albuquerque, NM?
Equivalent salary in Gainesville, FL
$75,341
You'd need $341 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Albuquerque
New Mexico
Gainesville
Florida
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Albuquerque at $1,145/mo compared to $1,296/mo in Gainesville (12% gap). Median home values are within 15% of each other: $291,500 in Albuquerque and $247,500 in Gainesville.
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
Gainesville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Albuquerque has cleaner air on average: 28.0 AQI (Good) compared to 53.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Albuquerque if you prioritize higher median household income ($68,317/yr).
Pick Albuquerque if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,145/mo median).
Pick Albuquerque if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 28.0).
Is Albuquerque cheaper than Gainesville?
Albuquerque is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 93.6 versus 94.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Albuquerque.
How much is rent in Albuquerque vs Gainesville?
Median rent is $1,145/mo in Albuquerque, NM and $1,296/mo in Gainesville, FL. Albuquerque, NM has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Albuquerque or Gainesville?
Median household income is $68,317 in Albuquerque, NM and $46,195 in Gainesville, FL. 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?
Albuquerque, NM has better air quality on average: 28.0 AQI versus 53.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Albuquerque or Gainesville?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Gainesville to match my Albuquerque income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Albuquerque, NM is equivalent to roughly $100,455 in Gainesville, FL (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
