Albuquerque vs Eugene: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Albuquerque, New Mexico compare to Eugene, Oregon? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Albuquerque is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 39% lower in Albuquerque compared to Eugene, while rent is 20% lower. State income tax is 5.9% in NM vs 9.9% in OR.
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Eugene, OR | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $246,000 | $406,000 | -39.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,014 | $1,269 | -20.1% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $61,503 | $61,481 | same |
| Per Capita Income | $36,879 | $39,081 | -5.6% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.9% | 9.9% | -40.4% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.7% | 0.0% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 562,551 | 176,755 | +218.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Albuquerque
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Eugene
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Albuquerque costs $246,000 compared to $406,000 in Eugene — a 39% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,014/mo in Albuquerque vs $1,269/mo in Eugene.
- Income: Median household income is $61,503 in Albuquerque and $61,481 in Eugene.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5.9% in New Mexico vs 9.9% in Oregon.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).