Median rent is 14% lower in Albuquerque ($1,145/mo vs $1,324/mo). Buying is cheaper in San Antonio, where the median home runs $235,700 versus $291,500. Households earn more in Albuquerque ($68,317 vs $65,056 a year). Taken together, Albuquerque is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 93.6 against 94.3 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Albuquerque, NM.
Quick verdict
Albuquerque is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 93.6 in Albuquerque vs 94.3 in San Antonio (US average = 100)
City A
Albuquerque, NM
City B
San Antonio, TX
How much would you need to earn in San Antonio, TX to maintain your standard of living from Albuquerque, NM?
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$75,562
You'd need $562 more (1% 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
San Antonio
Texas
👥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 $1,324/mo in San Antonio (14% gap). Median home values are within 19% of each other: $291,500 in Albuquerque and $235,700 in San Antonio.
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
San Antonio
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Albuquerque has cleaner air on average: 28.0 AQI (Good) compared to 71.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
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 San Antonio?
Albuquerque is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 93.6 versus 94.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Albuquerque.
How much is rent in Albuquerque vs San Antonio?
Median rent is $1,145/mo in Albuquerque, NM and $1,324/mo in San Antonio, TX. Albuquerque, NM has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Albuquerque or San Antonio?
Median household income is $68,317 in Albuquerque, NM and $65,056 in San Antonio, TX. 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 71.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Albuquerque or San Antonio?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in San Antonio to match my Albuquerque income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Albuquerque, NM is equivalent to roughly $100,749 in San Antonio, TX (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
