Quick answer
Albuquerque costs $170/month less overall ($1,520 vs $1,690/mo). But Des Moines's 4.82% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $80/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Albuquerque vs Des Moines
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Albuquerque vs Des Moines at a Glance
| Metric | Albuquerque | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,050 ✓ | $1,350 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,320 ✓ | $1,350 |
| Median Home Price | $285K | $245K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $145 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $325 ✓ | $370 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,520 ✓ | $1,690 |
| Walk Score | 42/100 | 45/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 28/100 | 29/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.9% | 4.82% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Albuquerque's 1BR averages $1,050/month vs $1,150 in Des Moines — a $100/month difference, or $1,200/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Des Moines charges 4.82% state income tax vs 4.9% in Albuquerque. On an $80K salary that's a $80/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,880 vs $5,760 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $285K in Albuquerque. At a 20% down payment, that's a $8,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $25 more per month than Albuquerque.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Albuquerque
High desert: sunny and dry, hot summers but cooler than Phoenix (5,300ft elevation reduces heat), cold winters with snow
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
Job Market
Albuquerque top industries
Des Moines top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Albuquerque if…
- →You're a national lab / federal workers
- →You're a outdoor / desert enthusiasts
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a retirees
Move to Des Moines if…
- →You're a Insurance and financial services professionals
- →You're a Families seeking excellent schools and safety
- →You're a Anyone valuing Midwestern hospitality and community
- →You're a Young professionals interested in startup culture
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albuquerque or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Albuquerque is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,520 in Albuquerque vs $1,690 in Des Moines — a $170/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Albuquerque or Des Moines?
Des Moines is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45/100 vs 42/100. Albuquerque is more car-dependent.
Albuquerque vs Des Moines: which has lower state income tax?
Des Moines has lower state income tax (4.82%). On an $80K salary, that saves $80/year vs Albuquerque (4.9%).
Is Albuquerque or Des Moines better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $285K in Albuquerque — a $40,000 difference on the median home.