City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 293 in Albuquerque, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 320, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Albuquerque is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Albuquerque and Arlington split most clearly. Arlington scores 161 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,145 in Albuquerque and $1,470 in Arlington.
This is a genuine split. Albuquerque wins on cost of living and Arlington wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Albuquerque at $1,145 average has pockets that run $945 and others at $1,545: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Albuquerque and Arlington are 570 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $325 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $75,171 in Arlington, up $6,854 (10%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 132 in Arlington, down 161 points (55%).
The move
Arlington and Albuquerque are 570 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, down $325 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $68,317 in Albuquerque, down $6,854 (9%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 293 in Albuquerque, up 161 points (122%).
Albuquerque, NM
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Albuquerque and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Albuquerque rent is 22% cheaper than Arlington
Albuquerque
Winner$1,145/mo
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Albuquerque is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $325/month back in your pocket ($3,900/year). Over five years that's $19,500 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Arlington, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Albuquerque is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Arlington's median income is 10% higher than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
$68,317
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $68,317 in Albuquerque, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Arlington (about $6,854 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
55% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 55% lower than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
293 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 293 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 55% lower in Arlington. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Arlington is the easier city. Albuquerque can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Albuquerque and Arlington are about even on typical weather.
Albuquerque
65°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Albuquerque averages about 65°F (72°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Albuquerque sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Albuquerque
Albuquerque is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 22% cheaper here at about $1,145 a month. Choose Albuquerque if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Arlington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 10% higher here ($75,171). Start with Arlington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 55% lower than Albuquerque (132 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Arlington: Arlington scores 52/100 versus 27/100 in Albuquerque, with typical rent at $1,470 versus $1,145. I would vet the exact ZIP in Albuquerque before trading 25 safety points for housing savings.
Arlington still pays more locally ($75,171 median income vs $68,317), which can offset the lease if your field pays Arlington rates.
Median income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $68,317 in Albuquerque.
Pick Arlington when you want the stronger safety signal (52/100). Otherwise, Albuquerque's case rests on a Albuquerque ZIP you trust at $1,145 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Albuquerque and Arlington, plus other cities in NM and TX.
