CostIndexUSA

Albuquerque, NM vs Tacoma, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNM
Albuquerque
95.5
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
WA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Albuquerque is significantly cheaper than Tacoma — 16.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Albuquerque, you would need $93,100 in Tacoma. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+69.6%
Albuquerque
89.2
Tacoma
151.3
🛒 Groceries+8.2%
Albuquerque
96.1
Tacoma
104
🚗 Transportation+8.4%
Albuquerque
103.5
Tacoma
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+8.4%
Albuquerque
93.6
Tacoma
101.5
Utilities+19.1%
Albuquerque
77.9
Tacoma
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Albuquerque to see what you'd need to earn in Tacoma to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$93,100
$13,100 more needed in Tacoma

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.1634. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Albuquerque, NM

Median Home Price
$340,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
89.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Tacoma, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Tacoma has 69.6% higher housing costs compared to Albuquerque.

Income & Job Market

Albuquerque, NM

Median Household Income
$67,600
Per Capita Income
$38,500
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
564,559
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationMilitaryTechnology

Tacoma, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
219,346
Top Industries
MilitaryManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Albuquerque, NM
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Tacoma, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.