City Comparison

Albuquerque vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico
92
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$52,911
Median Income

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

13.2%

Living in Albuquerque costs 13.2% less than Warwick. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Albuquerque, you would need $86,413 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
80
Albuquerque
127
Warwick
Groceries
97
Albuquerque
102
Warwick
Utilities
95
Albuquerque
112
Warwick
Transportation
99
Albuquerque
105
Warwick
Healthcare
94
Albuquerque
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Albuquerque has the same purchasing power as $86,413 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $65,094 in Albuquerque.

Living in Albuquerque vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Albuquerque's housing index of 80 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $413,000. The $153,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,948 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Albuquerque compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Albuquerque and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Albuquerque vs $485/month in Warwick. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Albuquerque and 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Albuquerque vs $448 in Warwick. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Albuquerque and 103 in Warwick. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,911 in Albuquerque and $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,512 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,235/month to housing in Albuquerque vs $1,741/month in Warwick. In Albuquerque, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Albuquerque is 13.2% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Albuquerque has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,413 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Albuquerque's housing index is 80 with median homes at $260,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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