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.
Cost of living verdict
Albuquerque is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 93.6 in Albuquerque vs 94.3 in San Antonio (US national 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 metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Albuquerque at $1,145/mo compared to $1,324/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.
Metric
Albuquerque
San Antonio
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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).
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.
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%.
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.
Albuquerque, NM has better air quality on average: 28.0 AQI versus 71.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
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: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
