City Comparison
Carlsbad vs Albuquerque
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Carlsbad scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Carlsbad
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Carlsbad is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
51% lower than in Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Carlsbad's average rent is
15% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,178 | +15% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $195 | -13% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $2,723 | -92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,240 | $4,616 | -51% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 18% 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 Carlsbad is estimated at
$52,000 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,742 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $67,500 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Carlsbad runs warmer on average — a 67.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Carlsbad comes out ahead with 325 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Carlsbad sees 3.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 96.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 34.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Carlsbad has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
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 | Carlsbad | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Carlsbad.
From a growth perspective, Carlsbad is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,238 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Carlsbad
Advantages
Proximity to world-renowned Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers unmatched weekend outdoor recreation and natural beauty.
Strong job market in the oil, gas, and mining sectors providing competitive wages relative to the region.
Abundant sunshine with over 325 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Lower overall cost of living compared to major US metropolitan areas.
Tight-knit community with a rich cultural heritage and local historic charm.
Drawbacks
Heavy reliance on the cyclical energy industry can cause volatility in local housing and job markets.
Arid climate with very low annual rainfall (8.6 inches) presents long-term water management and landscaping challenges.
Limited public transportation options make car ownership an absolute necessity for residents.
Remote geographic location in southeastern New Mexico requires significant travel for specialized shopping or major medical care.
High summer temperatures exceeding 95°F frequently limit daytime outdoor activities during peak months.
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.
Carlsbad
#296New Mexico, USA
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
67.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
71
Business
67
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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