City Comparison
Los Lunas vs Albuquerque
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Los Lunas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Los Lunas
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Los Lunas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
33% lower compared to Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Los Lunas's average rent is
76% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Los Lunas | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,071 | $1,178 | +76% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $162 | $195 | -17% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $2,723 | -91% |
| Monthly Total | $3,083 | $4,616 | -33% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 41% 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 Los Lunas is estimated at
$55,000 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Los Lunas | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,211 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,571 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $62,330 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Los Lunas runs warmer on average — a 60.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Los Lunas comes out ahead with 309 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Los Lunas sees 6.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Los Lunas | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 309 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Los Lunas | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Los Lunas 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 | Los Lunas | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,194 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.02% | % |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Los Lunas
Advantages
Los Lunas has a low cost of living, with a Cost of Living Index of 86.3, making it 13.7% more affordable than the national average.
The village is one of the fastest-growing communities in New Mexico, indicating strong economic and population growth momentum.
Major employers like Meta (Facebook) Data Center and Walmart Distribution Center drive job creation and economic development.
A new 15-bed acute care hospital is slated to open in Los Lunas in fall 2026, significantly improving local healthcare access.
Public transportation via Rio Metro buses and the Rail Runner Express is available and fare-free, connecting residents to Albuquerque and other areas.
Drawbacks
Los Lunas crime rates are significantly higher than the national average, with overall crime 65% higher and violent crime 63% higher.
The village is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability and public transit options, making personal vehicle ownership essential for most residents.
Despite economic growth, Los Lunas has acknowledged a lag in developing affordable housing options.
The median household income of $62,330 is lower than the national average of $80,734.
Traffic congestion on main routes, particularly NM 6, can adversely affect commuter travel and emergency response times.
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.
Los Lunas
#103New Mexico, USA
54.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,071
Avg Salary
$45,211
Cost Index
86
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
309/yr
Avg Temp
60.20°F
Pop. Growth
3.02%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
65
Business
70
Albuquerque
#133New Mexico, USA
49.3 / 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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