Austin, TX vs Carlsbad, NM

Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.

Score Snapshot

No universal winner

Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.

Austin

68.3

#1322 nationally

vs

Carlsbad

76.4

#345 nationally

Carlsbad leads in cost of living index (96 vs 129). Carlsbad leads in average commute (20.7 min vs 26.8 min). Austin leads in walk score (42 vs 33).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Austin, TX Carlsbad, NM
WhereAtHome Score 68.3 (#1322) 76.4 (#345)
Population 967,862 31,499
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $504,148 $254,019
Median Household Income $91,461 $77,209
Average Commute 26.8 min 20.7 min
Walk Score 42 33
Crime Level Moderate 14.4
School Rating 7.2 N/A
Cost of Living Index 129 96
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+39.3 R+55.9
Austin, TX
D+
68.3 Score

Austin, TX

Live music capital meets tech innovation

Median Home

$504,148

Population

967,862

Crime

Moderate

Schools

B

Southwest View Austin, TX →
Carlsbad, NM
C
76.4 Score

Carlsbad, NM

Small New Mexico city with local appeal

Median Home

$254,019

Population

31,499

Crime

Moderate-High

Walk Score

33

Southwest View Carlsbad, NM →

Try a different matchup

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Swap Carlsbad for:

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