Is Albuquerque the Right City for You? A Look at Living in New Mexico’s Cultural Capital

Is Albuquerque a Good Place to Live?

This guide is designed to answer this simple question. To wit, let’s start with a look at the positives — some of the best parts of living in the Duke City.

Weather

To put it lightly, the weather in Albuquerque is outstanding. If you’re looking for year-round mild weather, subtle seasonal changes, and seemingly never-ending sunshine, you’ve met your match. 

Here’s a taste of what you can expect during all four seasons:

• Spring – The average spring high temperature is 86° F and the average low is 58° F.
• Summer – The average summer high temperature is 89° F and the average low is 64° F.
• Fall – The average fall high temperature is 53° F and the average low is 32° F.
• Winter – The average winter high temperature is 60° F and the average low is 31° F.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Albuquerque is lower than you might expect. 

While Albuquerque’s cost of living is about 7% lower than the national average, let’s compare it to some similar Southwestern metro areas. Living in Albuquerque is:

• 10% cheaper than Phoenix, Arizona
• 15% cheaper than Denver, Colorado
• 9% cheaper than Dallas, Texas
• 14% cheaper than Salt Lake City, Utah
• 8% cheaper than Las Vegas, Nevada
• 35% cheaper than San Diego, California

The Job Market

Young professionals and people settling with their families will be pleased to know that jobs in Albuquerque aren’t hard to find. The Duke City offers a highly stable job market, and some of our top industries include:

• Higher education
• Healthcare
• Information Technology
• Federal government operations
• TV and film production
• Tourism

While these are some of the most prevalent industries, Albuquerque is a prosperous metro area with jobs available in a wide variety of sectors.

Outdoor Activities

If you’re looking for a new home with loads of outdoor exploration opportunities, Albuquerque should be at the top of your list. The Duke City offers:

• Hiking – Some of the most popular hikes are the Menaul Trailhead and the Pino Trail, but these are just two of the many scenic trails available in and around Albuquerque.

• Parks – You’ll find at least one park in every Albuquerque neighborhood. Green spaces offer frequent outdoor events, but they’re also peaceful places to play.

• Other adventures – Whether you opt for a birdwatching excursion at Embudito Canyon Loop or an archaeological experience at the Petroglyph National Monument, you’ll love the wide variety of activities in and around the city.

Cultural Diversity

The population of Albuquerque, New Mexico is highly diverse.

• Hispanic, Black, Asian, and Native American cultures are all well-represented in the community.

• Approximately 10% of residents were born outside the US.

• While the median age is 37, residents represent a broad range of ages and career stages.

• U.S. military veterans make up about 6% of the total population.

We’re proud to be a welcoming, enriching city for people from all walks of life.

Things to Do

Simply put, you’ll never run out of things to do in Albuquerque. In addition to outdoor activities, we also offer a wide variety of:

• Festivals and cultural events
• Art galleries and studios
• Museums
• Dining experiences (upscale and casual)
• Shopping opportunities
• Sports experiences

Whether you’re singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at Isotopes Park or enjoying the nightlife in Nob Hill, you’ll never be bored in the Duke City.

What Are Some Potential Drawbacks of Living in Albuquerque?

While the city has tons to offer, you should also consider some of the (few) potential drawbacks of Albuquerque life before you pack your bags.

City Traffic

As a mid-sized metropolitan area, Albuquerque residents sometimes encounter traffic. In a city of around 560,000, the occasional traffic delay is to be expected. But these incidents are typically confined to:

1. Peak traffic times (like rush hour and school dropoff/pickup)
2. Areas with the highest population density (like Downtown)

Outside of the weekday commute, Albuquerque residents typically don’t encounter inconvenient traffic incidents. 

Crime and Safety

The Albuquerque crime rate is on the decline. Between 2018 and 2022:

1. Property-related crimes (burglaries, motor vehicle theft, and fraud, for example) decreased by 20%.

2. Crimes against people (assault and homicide offenses, for instance) decreased by 2%. 

Every metro area features some level of crime, but potential residents can rest easy: Albuquerque is only becoming safer.

Chilly (But Short) Winters

In this Albuquerque climate overview, you might have noticed some slightly chilly fall and winter temperatures. 

While Albuquerque can get slightly colder winters than New Mexico’s southernmost cities, there are some important things to know about the coldest season:

• Winters in Albuquerque are relatively short.
• Snow is infrequent and typically confined to high-elevation areas.
• Daylight hours are generally comfortable — temperatures are lowest at night. 

Plus, if you’re considering moving from a locale with harsh winters (like the Midwest or Northeast), the November-to-February chills in Albuquerque are mild by comparison.

Albuquerque, New Mexico: A Magical Place to Call Home

There are so many things to love about Albuquerque, New Mexico. From the wide array of cultural experiences to the stunning weather, there are few better places to live. 

If you’re looking for more information about living in Albuquerque, check out our helpful guides. We can’t wait for you to discover the magic of the Duke City.