Los Angeles
California
Pop. 3,881,041
VS
Albuquerque
New Mexico
Pop. 562,551

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

47
Overall Score /100
Wins 0 of 7 categories
74
Overall Score /100
Wins 5 of 7 categories
Albuquerque wins 5–0
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Albuquerque wins 0–5 overall (74/100)
💰 Albuquerque is more affordable
💼 Albuquerque has lower unemployment
🛡️ Albuquerque has fewer disasters

📋 Los Angeles vs Albuquerque — The Verdict

Albuquerque scores 74.5/100 compared to Los Angeles's 47.5/100, winning 5 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Albuquerque has a clear edge with home prices 70% lower. Albuquerque has a significantly tighter job market with unemployment at 4.3%. For safety-conscious movers, Albuquerque has a notably lower disaster history with 48 fewer declarations in 20 years. Albuquerque may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Albuquerque are 70% lower — a difference of $576,600 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Albuquerque saves you $777/month — that's $9,324 per year.
💵
Households in Los Angeles earn $14,741 more per year (24% higher median income).
📊
Albuquerque has a 1.2 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
Albuquerque has experienced 48 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Los Angeles vs Albuquerque: Cost of Living Comparison
10
vs
90
Median Home Value
$822,600
$246,000
Median Rent /mo
$1,791
$1,014
Median Income
$76,244
$61,503
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Albuquerque offers home prices 70% lower than Los Angeles, translating to $576,600 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Los Angeles vs Albuquerque: Job Market & Salaries
35
vs
55
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
4.3%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Albuquerque having a slight edge at 4.3% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ Los Angeles vs Albuquerque: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Los Angeles vs Albuquerque: Air Quality & Environment
85
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
0
6 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Los Angeles vs Albuquerque: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
55
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Los Angeles vs Albuquerque: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
54
6
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Low
Albuquerque has a markedly lower disaster history — 48 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Los Angeles to Albuquerque: Common Questions

Is Los Angeles or Albuquerque cheaper to live in?
Albuquerque is more affordable overall. Home prices are $576,600 lower in Albuquerque. Monthly rent is $1,014 in Albuquerque vs $1,791 in Los Angeles.
Does Los Angeles or Albuquerque have better weather?
Albuquerque scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Los Angeles or Albuquerque better for finding a job?
Albuquerque currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 5.5% in Los Angeles vs 4.3% in Albuquerque. Median household income is $76,244 in Los Angeles and $61,503 in Albuquerque.
Which city is safer — Los Angeles or Albuquerque?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Albuquerque is safer. Los Angeles has had 54 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 6 in Albuquerque. Los Angeles scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Albuquerque.
Should I move from Los Angeles to Albuquerque?
Based on our data, Albuquerque scores 74.5/100 vs Los Angeles's 47.5/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Albuquerque is more affordable, while Albuquerque has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.