Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Albuquerque, NM
VS
Baltimore, MD
🏆 Albuquerque leads 19 of 23 categories
Albuquerque
New Mexico
19
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,503 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
311⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
562,551
Baltimore
Maryland
4
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.7⚠ High
Median Household Income
$58,349
Violent Crime Index
423⚠ High
Population
584,548 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Albuquerque, NM
Pros
26% less violent crime than Baltimore
Rent averages $221/mo less ($1,014 vs $1,235)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.5%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Baltimore
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.0)
Cons
Violent crime (1181.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4628.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Baltimore, MD
Pros
Homes cost $43k less ($202,900 vs $246,000)
Cons
Violent crime (1606.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4157.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.5%)
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Albuquerque
Key Differences at a Glance
Albuquerque
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 93.0 vs 102.7 (100 = US avg)
Albuquerque
Median Income
$3,154
$61,503 vs $58,349/yr
Albuquerque
Violent Crime
26% lower
1181.8 vs 1606.2 per 100k
Albuquerque
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.9% unemployment
Albuquerque
Summer Heat
4.8°F warmer
July avg high 94.9°F vs 90.1°F
Baltimore
Median Home Value
$43k less
$202,900 vs $246,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Baltimore, MD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.0 ✓ Cheaper | 102.7⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $246,000 | $202,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,014 ✓ Lower | $1,235 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,503 ✓ Higher | $58,349 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.1 min ✓ Shorter | 30.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.0% | 13.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 275⚠ High ✓ Safer | 333⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 311⚠ High ✓ Safer | 423⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 220⚠ High | 198⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.8% ✓ Higher | 34.9% |
| High School or Higher | 90.7% ✓ Higher | 87.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ALBUQUERQUE | Baltimore City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.9°F ✓ Warmer | 43.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.9°F ✓ Warmer | 90.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.3" ✓ Drier | 43.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 7.9" ✓ Less | 19.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 562,551 | 584,548 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.0 ✓ Older | 36.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.7% ✓ Higher | 47.8% |
| Under 18 | 21.0% ✓ More | 20.4% |
| Over 65 | 16.6% ✓ More | 14.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Albuquerque's cost of living index is 93.0 vs Baltimore's 102.7 (US average = 100).
Albuquerque is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Albuquerque leads 19 of 23 categories. Albuquerque wins 19 and Baltimore wins 4. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Albuquerque to Baltimore or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($246,000 vs $202,900 median home), income ($61,503 vs $58,349), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Albuquerque, NM and Baltimore, MD are about 1,670 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.