Performance
Score Breakdown
Albuquerque
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Los Angeles is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
53% higher compared to Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albuquerque's average rent is
46% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,178 | $2,184 | -46% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $195 | $231 | -16% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $2,723 | $150 | +1715% |
| Monthly Total | $4,616 | $3,015 | +53% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 58% 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
$69,443 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $77,000 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $69,443 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,381 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $71,494 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albuquerque has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
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 | Albuquerque | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Albuquerque.
From a growth perspective, Albuquerque 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 | Albuquerque | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 560,326 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,000.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Albuquerque
#21New Mexico, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,178
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Los Angeles
#64California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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