Performance
Score Breakdown
Laramie
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laramie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
54% lower compared to Albuquerque.
| Metric | Laramie | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,149 | $1,178 | -2% |
| Groceries | $377 | $400 | -6% |
| Utilities | $352 | $195 | +81% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $138 | $2,723 | -95% |
| Monthly Total | $2,136 | $4,616 | -54% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 15% 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 Laramie is estimated at
$31,776 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Laramie | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,136 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $31,776 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,564 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $55,613 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Laramie | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 46.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Laramie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
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 | Laramie | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Laramie.
From a growth perspective, Laramie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Laramie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Laramie | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,511 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | % |
| Median Age | 26.9 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Laramie
Advantages
The cost of living in Laramie is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and groceries.
Laramie has a violent crime rate significantly below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The city offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
There are abundant outdoor activities available, including hiking, biking, skiing, and fishing, due to its proximity to mountains and forests.
Commute times are significantly shorter than the national average, at only 13 minutes.
Drawbacks
Childcare and dining out costs can be more expensive in Laramie compared to the national average.
Some residents may need to travel to larger cities for specialized medical care or extensive shopping options.
Despite growth, Laramie can still feel somewhat isolated, with a "middle of nowhere" feel for some.
The median household income in Laramie is lower than the national average.
The housing market, while affordable, has seen a slight decrease in median home prices in early 2026.
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.
Laramie
#21Wyoming, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,149
Avg Salary
$65,136
Cost Index
95
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
2.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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