Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $117/month moving to Albuquerque, NM

$150.0K in your current city equals $148.6K in Albuquerque, NM

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area
Overall Cost
1.6%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$117
Savings
Annual Impact
$1.4K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Houston, TX

Population:2305K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$245K

Albuquerque, NM

Population:565K
Cost Index:
98
(2% below avg)
Median Home:$337K

Houston, TX

The Lone Star State

2.3M
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • Energy capital of the world
  • NASA Mission Control
  • Diverse port city

Major Industries

EnergyAerospaceHealthcareInternational Trade

Albuquerque, NM

The Land of Enchantment

565K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in New Mexico, this city has a population of 565K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Houston, TX vs Albuquerque, NM

Transportation
7.6%
Houston, TX
$1,449
Albuquerque, NM
$1,339
Difference
$111
less
Housing
4.4%
Houston, TX
$2,191
Albuquerque, NM
$2,287
Difference
$96.15
more
All Utilities
9.0%
Houston, TX
$552
Albuquerque, NM
$503
Difference
$49.72
less
Groceries
5.3%
Houston, TX
$911
Albuquerque, NM
$959
Difference
$47.96
more
Other
2.5%
Houston, TX
$1,768
Albuquerque, NM
$1,724
Difference
$43.52
less
Healthcare
3.0%
Houston, TX
$562
Albuquerque, NM
$545
Difference
$16.73
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,220
To$1,030
$190
1 Bed
From$1,260
To$1,205
$55.00
2 Bed
From$1,500
To$1,490
$10.00
3 Bed
From$2,020
To$2,070
$50.00
Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880$1,980/mo

Albuquerque, NMZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,000$1,780/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,434
Monthly in Houston, TX
$7,357
Monthly in Albuquerque, NM
$76.51
Difference

Home Values

Houston
Albuquerque
$245K
Median Value
$337K
↓ -3.1%
YoY Change
↑ +1.3%
↑ +23.4%
5-Year Change
↑ +42.4%
$138K - $1.64M
Price Range
$242K - $734K

Homes in Albuquerque are 37% more expensive than Houston

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
$7.1K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$589
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
4.7%
Rate difference

Houston, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Albuquerque, NM

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
New Mexico State Tax
Effective: 4.7%
$7.1K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.4%
$44.1K
Take-Home Pay
$8,826/month
$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

Houston, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

Albuquerque, NM Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.6%
Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Houston
Albuquerque
61 Moderate
Air Quality
61 Moderate
13.7%
Good Air Days
27.3%
100 Very High
Climate Risk
94 High
🌊🌅🌀
Top Hazards
🌊
+2.2°F
2050 Outlook
+3.0°F
64 days
Heat Days >95°F
63 days
+2.2°F
2050 Outlook
+3.0°F
64 days
Heat Days >95°F
63 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Texas and New Mexico on TaxTakeHome.com

Similar cost to Albuquerque, NM

Other cities in a similar price range

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison