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City guide · New Mexico

Moving to Albuquerque, NM

Desert beauty, art scene, Breaking Bad tourism.

Pop. 565kCost index 94.0 · 100 = US avgMedian rent $1,200/moMedian home $320kWalk score 43

Albuquerque (metro area) has an overall price level 94.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
94.0
Housing index
73.6
Groceries index (modeled)
98.5
Utilities index (modeled)
99.1
Electricity rate
14.8 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
98.8
Median home value (est.)
$320,000
Median monthly rent (est.)
$1,200/mo

Sources: BLS LAUS 2026-04 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

New Mexico unemployment is 4.9% with median household income $68k.

Unemployment rate
4.9%
Median household income
$67,816
Per-capita income
$37,978
Labor-force participation
58.7%
Right-to-work state
No
Nurse Licensure Compact
Member

Sources: FEMA NRI 2025 · Census ACS 2024 (live) city-level

Albuquerque: median home value $320,000.

Home value
$320,000
Rent
$1,200/mo
Homeownership rate
71.0%
Natural-hazard risk (FEMA county avg)
59/100
Hurricane exposure
Low
Wildfire exposure
Elevated
Tornado risk
Low
Earthquake risk
Low

New Mexico 4th-grade math proficiency: 23.3% at/above NAEP proficient.

4th-grade math proficiency
23.3%
Per-pupil spending
$12,026
Student–teacher ratio (est.)
15
Public 4-yr grad rate
41.0%
Notable universities
Public flagship + regional schools

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