Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Albuquerque, NM (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Albuquerque

New Mexico
80

San Antonio and Albuquerque have a similar cost of living.

$1,258/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$1,085/mo ↓ 14%
$62,917/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$65,604/yr ↑ 4%
$219,700 ↓ 18%
Home Value
$266,700 ↑ 21%
$1,235/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,149/mo ↓ 7%
1,458,954
Population
562,488

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.9%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Albuquerque, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $173/month cheaper in Albuquerque, saving renters about $2,076/year.

Median household income is $2,687/year higher in Albuquerque. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $266,700 in Albuquerque.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over New Mexico's 5.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Albuquerque — common questions

Is San Antonio or Albuquerque cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Albuquerque is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Albuquerque?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Albuquerque it's $1,085/month — a difference of $173/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Albuquerque?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $65,604 in Albuquerque. Median household income is $2,687/year higher in Albuquerque.
How do taxes compare between Texas and New Mexico?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Albuquerque?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Albuquerque has a cost index of 80 with rent of $1,085/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Albuquerque details →

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