City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 293 in Albuquerque, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 320, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Albuquerque is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,619 in Irving.
Safety is where Albuquerque and Irving split most clearly. Irving scores 194 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 $1,619 in Irving.
Irving is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Albuquerque makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Irving is the stronger move.
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 Irving are 578 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,619 a month in Irving, up $474 a month (41%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $81,830 in Irving, up $13,513 (20%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 99 in Irving, down 194 points (66%).
The move
Irving and Albuquerque are 578 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, down $474 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $68,317 in Albuquerque, down $13,513 (17%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 293 in Albuquerque, up 194 points (196%).
Albuquerque, NM
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Irving, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Albuquerque and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Albuquerque rent is 29% cheaper than Irving
Albuquerque
Winner$1,145/mo
Irving
$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,619 in Irving, so Albuquerque is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $474/month back in your pocket ($5,688/year). Over five years that's $28,440 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 Irving, 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 Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
20% higher
Irving's median income is 20% higher than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
$68,317
Irving
Winner$81,830
Median household income is $81,830 in Irving versus $68,317 in Albuquerque, so typical pay runs 20% higher in Irving (about $13,513 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Irving is the stronger labor market on paper. Albuquerque can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
66% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 66% lower than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
293 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 293 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 66% lower in Irving. 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, Irving 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
16% more comfortable
Irving weather is 16% more comfortable than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
60°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 86/100
Irving
Winner70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Albuquerque averages about 60°F (66°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Albuquerque averages around 60°F. Irving sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irving scores 16% 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 Albuquerque if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 29% 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 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 20% higher ($81,830), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 70°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Irving is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 66% lower than Albuquerque (99 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Irving leads on safety (60/100 vs 27/100 in Albuquerque). Typical rent is $1,619 in Irving and $1,145 in Albuquerque; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Irving still pays more locally ($81,830 median income vs $68,317), which can offset the lease if your field pays Irving rates.
Median income is $81,830 in Irving versus $68,317 in Albuquerque.
Between Albuquerque and Irving, Irving is ahead on safety — 60/100 safety versus 27/100. Lean Albuquerque instead when you already know the Albuquerque block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
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