City Comparison
Lovington vs Albuquerque
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lovington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lovington
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lovington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
56% lower than in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Lovington | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,178 | -2% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $195 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $2,723 | -92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,045 | $4,616 | -56% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 25% 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 Lovington is estimated at
$45,000 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Lovington | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lovington runs warmer on average — a 64.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lovington comes out ahead with 321 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lovington sees 0.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lovington | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | |
| Humidity | 42.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lovington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lovington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lovington | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Lovington 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 | Lovington | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,682 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lovington
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Robust employment opportunities tied to the lucrative Permian Basin oil and gas industry.
Abundant sunshine averaging over 320 sunny days per year, ideal for outdoor activities.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to metropolitan areas.
Tight-knit community with a strong cultural heritage and active local civic life.
Drawbacks
High dependence on the volatile oil and gas sector can create economic cyclicality.
Extremely limited public transportation options, requiring total car dependency.
Very low annual rainfall (8.1 inches) creates arid conditions and water management challenges.
Limited local entertainment, arts, and major retail options within city limits.
Distance from major metropolitan medical centers for specialized healthcare needs.
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.
Lovington
#359New Mexico, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
64.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
68
Business
65
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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