Albuquerque, NM, a desert paradise, has risen in popularity for those looking to move to the Southwest. Albuquerque is home to 560,000 people, historic sites like the Petroglyph National Monument, and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta that’s held every October.
If you’re considering buying a home in Albuquerque, you’ll find that the median home sale price is $320,000, and the housing market is somewhat competitive. And if you’re looking to rent an apartment in Albuquerque, the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,518.
If those prices don’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. We’ve rounded up a list of the 6 best affordable Albuquerque suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 45-minute drive from the city. That way you can live nearby without paying the price of living in Albuquerque.
#1: Belen
Median home price: $205,000
Driving distance from Albuquerque: 45 minutes
Belen, NM homes for sale
Belen, NM apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $205,000, Belen claims the first spot on our list of affordable Albuquerque suburbs. Just about a 45-minute drive away from Albuquerque, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. There are plenty of outdoorsy activities in Belen like checking out Eagle Park and Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area.
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#2: Meadow Lake
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Median home price: $270,000
Driving distance from Albuquerque: 45 minutes
Meadow Lake, NM homes for sale
Meadow Lake, NM apartments for rent
Coming in as the second most affordable suburb in Albuquerque is Meadow Lake. The same distance from Albuquerque as Belen, you can visit the Rio Grande Botanic Garden in just a quick drive. Some popular things to do in Meadow Lake are hiking at Bosque Peak and checking out one of the local parks.
#3: Bernalillo (tie)
Median home price: $280,000
Driving distance from Albuquerque: 20 minutes
Bernalillo, NM homes for sale
Bernalillo, NM apartments for rent
The next suburb on our list is Bernalillo, where home prices are about $40K less than in Albuquerque. About 10,000 people live in this Albuquerque suburb and there are many things to do in Bernalillo. Some things to check out include visiting the Coronado Historic Site or hiking at the nearby Placitas Trailhead.
#3: Los Lunas (tie)
Median home price: $280,000
Driving distance from Albuquerque: 30 minutes
Los Lunas, NM homes for sale
Los Lunas, NM apartments for rent
Tying Bernalillo for the third spot on our list is Los Lunas, with a median home sale price of $280,000 and only a 30-minute drive away from Albuquerque. There are plenty of charming and outdoorsy activities to take part in when living in Los Lunas. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable suburb, make sure to visit the annual Fiesta de Los Lunas, hike along El Cerro de Los Lunas Trailhead, or visit the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts.
#5: Valencia
Median home price: $288,000
Driving distance from Albuquerque: 30 minutes
Valencia, NM homes for sale
Valencia, NM apartments for rent
Only a 30-minute drive into the city, consider adding Valencia to your list of Albuquerque suburbs to consider moving to. With 77,000 residents, living to this affordable suburb can keep you close enough to Albuquerque, without paying the premium for a home there. In Valencia, some popular activities include hiking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding.
#6: Los Chavez
Median home price: $290,000
Driving distance from Albuquerque: 40 minutes
Los Chavez, NM homes for sale
Los Chavez, NM apartments for rent
Rounding out our list of Albuquerque suburbs is Los Chavez, where you’ll find the home prices are about $30K less than in Albuquerque. Home to roughly 5,000 people, Los Chavez is a great suburb to consider moving to. Make sure to drive southwest to hike in the nearby Cibola National Forest or visit the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Albuquerque and under a 45-minute drive from downtown Albuquerque. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during July 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com during July 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
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