City Comparison
Albuquerque vs Los Angeles
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Albuquerque scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Albuquerque
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Los Angeles is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albuquerque's average rent is
46% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,178 | $2,184 | -46% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $195 | $231 | -16% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $2,723 | $150 | +1715% |
| Monthly Total | $4,616 | $3,015 | +53% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 58% higher 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 Albuquerque is estimated at
$69,443 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $77,000 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $69,443 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,381 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $71,494 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albuquerque has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 43.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Albuquerque.
From a growth perspective, Albuquerque 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 | Albuquerque | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 560,326 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | $1,000.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Los Angeles
#567California, USA
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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