Performance
Score Breakdown
New York City
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albuquerque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
195% higher compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: New York City's average rent is
300% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | New York City | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $4,719 | $1,180 | +300% |
| Groceries | $500 | $400 | +25% |
| Utilities | $175 | $220 | -20% |
| Transport | $132 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $5,746 | $1,950 | +195% |
| Cost Index | 179 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 4% 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 New York City is estimated at
$171,000 vs $47,196 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | New York City | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $73,950 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $171,000 | $47,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,313 idx | 84,615 idx |
| Household Income | $74,694 | $68,317 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | New York City | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 63.00% | 44.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albuquerque has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New York City | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 41 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 90.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 88.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 85.00 | 25.60 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
— approximately 15.3x the population of Albuquerque.
From a growth perspective, New York City 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 | New York City | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,478,000 | 555,119 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.04% | % |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New York City
Advantages
New York City's population grew by 1.04% between July 2023 and July 2024, indicating strong appeal and recovery.
The city's private sector added 115,000 jobs in 2024, demonstrating a robust and growing job market.
New York City companies raised $24 billion in venture capital in 2024, highlighting a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Overall major crime in New York City decreased by nearly 3% in 2024 compared to 2023, contributing to a safer urban environment.
New York City offers unparalleled cultural and entertainment opportunities, with world-class theaters, museums, and dining.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 79% higher than the national average, primarily driven by extremely high housing costs.
A single adult needs an estimated $171,000 before taxes to live comfortably in New York City.
The average one-way commute time in New York City was 40.6 minutes in 2024, making it one of the longest in the U.S.
New York State's hospital quality ratings are among the lowest in the U.S., with an average of 2.5 out of 5 stars in 2025.
Felony assaults in New York City increased by 4.9% in 2024 and remain 40.4% above 2019 levels, contributing to lingering safety concerns.
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.
New York City
#40New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$4,719
Avg Salary
$73,950
Cost Index
179
Commute
41 min
Transit Score
90.0/10
Walkability
88.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.04%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
68
Business
80
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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