Performance
Score Breakdown
Albuquerque
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albuquerque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
30% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albuquerque's average rent is
59% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,180 | $744 | +59% |
| Groceries | $400 | $600 | -33% |
| Utilities | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Transport | $0 | $800 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $500 | -70% |
| Monthly Total | $1,950 | $2,794 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 42% 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
$47,196 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $77,000 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $47,196 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,615 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $68,317 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 44.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.60 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 555,119 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Des Moines
#14Iowa, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$744
Avg Salary
$54,311
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
85
Business
80
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