CostIndexUSA

Albuquerque, NM vs Joplin, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NM
Albuquerque
95.5
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than Albuquerque — 10.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Albuquerque, you would need $71,800 in Joplin. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing39.5%
Albuquerque
89.2
Joplin
54
🛒 Groceries2.0%
Albuquerque
96.1
Joplin
94.2
🚗 Transportation5.6%
Albuquerque
103.5
Joplin
97.7
🏥 Healthcare5.6%
Albuquerque
93.6
Joplin
88.4
Utilities+10.3%
Albuquerque
77.9
Joplin
85.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Joplin, MO
$71,800
$8,200 less needed in Joplin

Formula: salary × (85.7 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.8974. 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×

Joplin, MO

Median Home Price
$216,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
54
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

Albuquerque has 39.5% lower housing costs compared to Joplin.

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

Joplin, MO

Median Household Income
$57,900
Per Capita Income
$33,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
50,843
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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)

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.