Orlando vs Albuquerque: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Orlando, Florida compare to Albuquerque, New Mexico? 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 35% higher in Orlando compared to Albuquerque, while rent is 49% higher. FL has no state income tax.
| Metric | Orlando, FL | Albuquerque, NM | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $332,700 | $246,000 | +35.2% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,509 | $1,014 | +48.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $66,292 | $61,503 | +7.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $40,253 | $36,879 | +9.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 5.9% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 7.7% | -9.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 307,738 | 562,551 | -45.3% |
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 — Orlando
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 — 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.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Orlando costs $332,700 compared to $246,000 in Albuquerque — a 35% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,509/mo in Orlando vs $1,014/mo in Albuquerque.
- Income: Median household income is $66,292 in Orlando and $61,503 in Albuquerque.
- Taxes: Florida has no state income tax, while New Mexico has a 5.9% rate.
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).