Albuquerque, NM vs Fort Worth, TX Cost of Living (2026)

Albuquerque has a cost of living index of 96.8, about 3.2% below the national average. The housing index is 90.6, so housing still does a lot to shape the local budget. Typical apartment rent is about $1,608 a month, and median home values are around $458,728. The median household income is approximately $60,000. The city's economy is anchored by government and military employment (Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories are major employers), healthcare, and the University of New Mexico, all of which provide stable but not particularly high wages.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city stretches to about $103,300 in Albuquerque. The difference is real, but it is small enough that housing choice matters more than the metro average by itself. The overall gap is fairly modest, but healthcare and miscellaneous costs can still nudge the budget around month to month.

New Mexico has a progressive income tax that tops out at 5.9%. Albuquerque does not charge a separate city income tax. The gross receipts tax in New Mexico functions similarly to a sales tax but applies more broadly, and the combined state and local rate in Albuquerque runs around 8.75%. Property taxes in Bernalillo County are low, with effective rates around 0.7 to 0.9% of assessed value, which meaningfully reduces the total cost of homeownership.

Albuquerque's climate brings specific utility cost patterns. Summers are warm and dry, and the high altitude keeps nights cooler than the latitude would suggest, so air conditioning costs are moderate. Winters are mild by Rocky Mountain standards. Utility bills are generally below the national average year-round. The city also sits at about 5,300 feet of elevation, which some residents factor into fitness, health, and vehicle maintenance considerations.

Fort Worth has a cost of living index of 95.9, about 4.1% below the national average. Housing runs below the national baseline, with a housing index of 87.3. Typical apartment rent is about $1,572 a month, and median home values are around $443,224. The median household income is approximately $72,000.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city stretches to about $104,300 in Fort Worth. The difference is real, but it is small enough that housing choice matters more than the metro average by itself. The overall gap is fairly modest, but utilities can still nudge the budget around month to month.

Texas has no state income tax, which benefits Fort Worth residents the same as other Texas cities. The effective property tax rate in Tarrant County typically runs around 1.8 to 2.2% of appraised value, which adds a real cost to homeownership. On a $300,000 home, property taxes can run $5,400 to $6,600 per year. Buyers should calculate total monthly housing cost including property tax and insurance rather than mortgage payment alone.

Fort Worth is often described as the western edge of the DFW metroplex, and the commute to Dallas employment centers is a real consideration. Driving from western Fort Worth to central Dallas can take 45 to 60 minutes in typical traffic. Trinity Metro operates local bus service, and TEXRail provides commuter rail to DFW Airport and some points east, but the region remains primarily car-dependent. Vehicle expenses are an unavoidable part of the monthly budget for nearly all Fort Worth residents.