Albuquerque, New Mexico
Land of Enchantment living
U.S. News (2025)
#75 Best Places to Live
Livability (2025)
#68 Top 100 Best Places to Live
WhereAtHome Score
67
D+out of 100
Overview
Albuquerque offers affordable living in a unique high-desert setting with Sandia Mountains as a backdrop. The city blends Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures into a distinctive identity. National labs and military installations provide stable employment, while lower costs attract those seeking Southwestern lifestyle.
Key Highlights
- Sandia Mountains and Tramway access
- International Balloon Fiesta
- Rich multicultural heritage
- Very affordable housing
- Sandia and Los Alamos Labs employment
- Historic Old Town and Route 66
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Bernalillo County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
93°F
Winter Low
26°F
Annual Rainfall
9"
Sunny Days
280
Amenities & Infrastructure
290+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
6 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
3 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
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