Living in Albuquerque, NM
Big city in New Mexico
Albuquerque is a big city in New Mexico, home to about 562,000 people, with 841,000 living within 31 mi. Day to day, there is some transit, though many people drive. Life moves at a moderate pace, and homes are a mix of apartments and houses.
Is Albuquerque a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Low natural disaster risk: 3 federally declared disasters since 2000
- Sunny: more sunshine and clearer skies than most places
- Easy flying: ABQ is 5 mi away
- Strong healthcare: 2 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
👎 Cons
- Hot summers: highs around 94°F
- Smaller job market: about 841,000 people live within 31 mi
- Fewer family amenities than most places
- Higher taxes: about $1,191 state income tax per resident, 0.97% property tax
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how Albuquerque ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in Albuquerque: common questions
What is the cost of living in Albuquerque?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $339k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $2,040 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are below the US average (index 96, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in Albuquerque?
New Mexico collects about $1,191 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 0.97% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is Albuquerque safe?
Violent crime is well above the national rate (3.6× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in Albuquerque?
Albuquerque has cool winters: winter days average around 53°F and summer days around 94°F, with roughly 8″ of snow a year.
Does Albuquerque get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is low, mainly from flooding and earthquakes: 3 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 0.36 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to Albuquerque?
The nearest major airport is ABQ, about 5 mi away.
How Albuquerque scores
Each bar compares Albuquerque with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
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Is Albuquerque right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.