Performance
Score Breakdown
Nashville
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albuquerque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
37% higher compared to Nashville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nashville's average rent is
43% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Nashville | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,684 | $1,180 | +43% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $260 | $220 | +18% |
| Transport | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $2,664 | $1,950 | +37% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nashville offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nashville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nashville is estimated at
$67,356 vs $47,196 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Nashville | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $93,454 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $67,356 | $47,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 97,348 idx | 84,615 idx |
| Household Income | $77,371 | $68,317 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Nashville | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 44.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albuquerque has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Nashville.
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 | Nashville | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 25.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nashville is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Albuquerque.
From a growth perspective, Nashville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nashville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nashville | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 712,581 | 555,119 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | % |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nashville
Advantages
Nashville's metro area unemployment rate of 3.0% (March 2026) is well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The city's cost of living index of 95.9 (March 2026) makes it approximately 4.1% more affordable than the national average.
Nashville experienced a job growth rate of 1.1% through September 2025, ranking it among the top U.S. metros for employment growth.
Violent offenses in Nashville were down nearly 14% and property crime decreased by almost 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with homicides at their lowest in a decade.
Tennessee has no state income tax, which can be a significant financial advantage for residents.
Drawbacks
Nashville experiences significant traffic congestion, ranking 27th worst globally and 11th in the U.S. in 2025, with drivers losing an average of 63 hours annually.
Summers in Nashville are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Housing costs are rising, with median home prices at $475,000 (July 2025) and average rents increasing, making affordability a growing concern.
The city's public transportation system is not as readily accessible as in other major cities, contributing to high car dependency.
Despite recent improvements, Nashville's overall crime rate of 57.31 per 1,000 people (2024 data) places it in a moderate safety range, with some areas having elevated crime.
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.
Nashville
#31Tennessee, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$93,454
Cost Index
96
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
70
Business
75
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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