Performance
Score Breakdown
Anaheim
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Anaheim is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% lower compared to Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anaheim's average rent is
111% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Anaheim | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,487 | $1,178 | +111% |
| Groceries | $411 | $400 | +3% |
| Utilities | $262 | $195 | +34% |
| Transport | $514 | $120 | +328% |
| Healthcare | $139 | $2,723 | -95% |
| Monthly Total | $3,813 | $4,616 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 149 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 49% 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 Anaheim is estimated at
$59,000 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Anaheim | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $39,182 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $59,000 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,297 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $95,227 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Anaheim | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 60.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Anaheim scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anaheim leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anaheim | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 67.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Anaheim.
From a growth perspective, Anaheim is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anaheim | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 346,597 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.31% | % |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $22.8B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
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.
Anaheim
#64California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
70
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
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