Median rent is 2% lower in Kansas City ($1,123/mo vs $1,145/mo). Buying is cheaper in Kansas City, where the median home runs $167,400 versus $291,500. Households earn more in Albuquerque ($68,317 vs $62,401 a year). Taken together, Kansas City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 93.2 against 93.6 — 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
Kansas City, KS
How much would you need to earn in Kansas City, KS to maintain your standard of living from Albuquerque, NM?
Equivalent salary in Kansas City, KS
$74,660
You could earn $340 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
Kansas City
Kansas
👥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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,145/mo in Albuquerque and $1,123/mo in Kansas City. Home buyers face a steeper market in Albuquerque: the median home is $291,500 versus $167,400 in Kansas City — 43% 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
Kansas City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Albuquerque has cleaner air on average: 28.0 AQI (Good) compared to 57.0 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 cleaner air quality (avg AQI 28.0).
Is Albuquerque cheaper than Kansas City?
Kansas City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 93.2 versus 93.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Kansas City.
How much is rent in Albuquerque vs Kansas City?
Median rent is $1,145/mo in Albuquerque, NM and $1,123/mo in Kansas City, KS. Kansas City, KS has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Albuquerque or Kansas City?
Median household income is $68,317 in Albuquerque, NM and $62,401 in Kansas City, KS. 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 57.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Albuquerque or Kansas City?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Kansas City to match my Albuquerque income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Albuquerque, NM is equivalent to roughly $99,547 in Kansas City, KS (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
