City Comparison
Hobbs vs Albuquerque
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hobbs scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hobbs
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hobbs is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
57% lower than in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Hobbs | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,178 | -7% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $195 | -13% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $2,723 | -92% |
| Monthly Total | $1,995 | $4,616 | -57% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 30% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hobbs is estimated at
$48,000 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Hobbs | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,674 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hobbs runs warmer on average — a 65.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hobbs comes out ahead with 326 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hobbs sees 1.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hobbs | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 326 | |
| Humidity | 42.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hobbs has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hobbs | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Hobbs.
From a growth perspective, Hobbs 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 | Hobbs | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,500 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hobbs
Advantages
Affordable housing market with median home prices below the national average per recent housing data.
Booming economy driven by the Permian Basin oil and gas industry providing strong job opportunities.
State-of-the-art community amenities such as the CORE (Center of Recreational Excellence) indoor recreation facility.
Low traffic congestion and short average commute times compared to major metropolitan areas.
Rich cultural heritage featuring diverse community events, festivals, and local New Mexican cuisine.
Drawbacks
High dependence on the volatile oil and gas sector can lead to economic cyclicality.
Arid desert climate brings very hot summers and occasional high winds or dust storms.
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes owning a car practically mandatory.
Annual rainfall is quite low at under 9 inches, requiring water conservation awareness.
Distance from major major metropolitan cultural hubs and large international airports.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many U.S. cities.
Housing expenses are notably reasonable, with average rent 29% lower than the national average.
Albuquerque boasts a highly accessible park system, ranking 15th nationally in 2024, with 90% of residents living within a walkable half-mile of a park.
The city offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts scene, including the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are lower than the national average, with annual medical costs for a single adult around $2,723 in 2024.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque has a high violent crime rate, which is 229% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's overall walkability score of 43 indicates a high reliance on cars for most daily errands.
Despite a decrease in violent crime, burglaries increased by 11% in 2024.
The population experienced a slight decline of 0.25% in 2024.
Specific recent data for long-term care costs (home care, assisted living, nursing home) were not readily available.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hobbs
#303New Mexico, USA
61.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
326/yr
Avg Temp
65.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
67
Business
70
Albuquerque
#558New Mexico, USA
47.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,178
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
43.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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