City comparison
Yes. Albuquerque's crime index is 293 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 320 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,145 in Albuquerque.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Albuquerque and Cleveland. Albuquerque averages 65°F while Cleveland averages 53°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,145 versus $1,060.
Albuquerque is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Cleveland makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Albuquerque is the stronger move.
Weather is the one thing you cannot negotiate with. Visit Cleveland in its coldest stretch before you sign anything.
The move
Albuquerque and Cleveland are 1,418 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $85 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $3,849 (6%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 341 in Cleveland, up 48 points (16%).
The move
Cleveland and Albuquerque are 1,418 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, up $85 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $68,317 in Albuquerque, up $3,849 (6%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 293 in Albuquerque, down 48 points (14%).
Albuquerque, NM
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cleveland, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Albuquerque and Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 7% cheaper than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
$1,145/mo
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,145 in Albuquerque, so Cleveland is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $85, or $1,020 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Albuquerque's median income is 6% higher than Cleveland
Albuquerque
Winner$68,317
Cleveland
$64,468
Median household income is $68,317 in Albuquerque versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Albuquerque (about $3,849 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
14% lower crime
Albuquerque's crime index is 14% lower than Cleveland
Albuquerque
Winner293 (100 = avg)
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Albuquerque's crime index is 293 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% lower in Albuquerque. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Albuquerque, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Cleveland. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
52% more comfortable
Albuquerque weather is 52% more comfortable than Cleveland
Albuquerque
Winner65°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Albuquerque averages about 65°F (72°F highs); Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Albuquerque sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Cleveland averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Albuquerque scores 52% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Cleveland if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 6% higher ($68,317), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 65°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Albuquerque is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 14% lower than Cleveland (293 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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Cleveland
Cleveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% cheaper here at about $1,060 a month. Choose Cleveland if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Weather separates these metros: $1,145/month rent in Albuquerque at 65°F versus $1,060 in Cleveland at 53°F. Income runs $68,317 vs $64,468, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
Cleveland rent at $1,060/month is still below Albuquerque's $1,145, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $68,317 in Albuquerque versus $64,468 in Cleveland.
Between Albuquerque and Cleveland, Albuquerque is ahead on climate — 65°F typical weather versus 53°F. Lean Cleveland instead when you would rather tolerate 53°F than optimize for Albuquerque's comfort score.
Common questions
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