Performance
Score Breakdown
Airdrie
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albuquerque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% higher compared to Airdrie.
| Metric | Airdrie | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,095 | $1,180 | -7% |
| Groceries | $365 | $400 | -9% |
| Utilities | $219 | $220 | -0% |
| Transport | $182 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $109 | $150 | -27% |
| Monthly Total | $1,970 | $1,950 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 52% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Airdrie is estimated at
$58,400 vs $47,196 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Airdrie | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $36,938 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,400 | $47,196 |
| Household Income | $80,300 | $68,317 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Airdrie | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | 44.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albuquerque has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Airdrie.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Airdrie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Airdrie | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 25.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Airdrie.
From a growth perspective, Airdrie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Airdrie | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,544 | 555,119 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.34% | % |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 11.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Airdrie
Advantages
Airdrie has a high population growth rate of 4.34% year-over-year, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
The median household income in Airdrie is $80,300 USD, which is higher than the national average.
The average commute time is relatively short at 25 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance for many residents.
Airdrie offers a diverse job market with prominent opportunities in retail, healthcare, construction, and logistics.
The city has a young population with an average age of 34.8, fostering a vibrant and energetic community.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Airdrie is 11.1%, which is higher than the national average.
Housing affordability is a challenge, with median home prices requiring an income significantly above the city's median household income.
Rental costs in Airdrie are notably high, often exceeding those in the larger Calgary metropolitan area.
The city has a high car dependency, with limited public transit options, potentially leading to higher transportation costs.
Airdrie lacks a major acute care hospital, requiring residents to travel to Calgary for specialized medical services.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is approximately 9.2% lower than the national average, making it an affordable city.
Albuquerque boasts a mild, dry climate with around 310 days of sunshine annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Public transportation (ABQ RIDE) operates on a permanent Zero Fares program, offering free bus services since January 2022.
The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene, including numerous museums and the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are about 12% cheaper than the typical U.S. city, contributing to overall affordability.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque is largely a car-dependent city, with a walkability score of 43, making many errands difficult without a vehicle.
Despite some decreases in violent crime, the overall crime rate in Albuquerque increased as of August 2024, and burglaries rose by 11% in 2024.
The city's population is currently experiencing a slight decline, with an annual decrease of -0.26% in 2026.
The average annual job growth rate for the Albuquerque MSA was modest at 0.72% in 2024.
Traffic congestion levels average 25.6% in 2025, leading to increased travel times.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Airdrie
#4Alberta, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,095
Avg Salary
$36,938
Cost Index
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.34%
Unemployment
11.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
Albuquerque
#36New Mexico, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,180
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
70
Business
65
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