City comparison
No. Orlando's crime index is 242 versus 293 in Albuquerque, and its violent crime index is 241 versus 320, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Albuquerque and 2022 FBI data for Orlando.
Albuquerque is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,747 in Orlando.
The cost gap between Albuquerque and Orlando is the real story here. Albuquerque comes in 34% cheaper on typical rent ($1,145 vs $1,747), which over a year adds up to $7,224. Median household income runs $68,317 in Albuquerque and $72,336 in Orlando.
Orlando 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 Orlando 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 Orlando are 1,546 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,747 a month in Orlando, up $602 a month (53%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $72,336 in Orlando, up $4,019 (6%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 242 in Orlando, down 51 points (17%).
The move
Orlando and Albuquerque are 1,546 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,747 a month in Orlando to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, down $602 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $72,336 in Orlando to $68,317 in Albuquerque, down $4,019 (6%).
The crime index goes from 242 in Orlando to 293 in Albuquerque, up 51 points (21%).
Albuquerque, NM
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Orlando, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Albuquerque and Orlando? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
Albuquerque rent is 34% cheaper than Orlando
Albuquerque
Winner$1,145/mo
Orlando
$1,747/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,747 in Orlando, so Albuquerque is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $602/month back in your pocket ($7,224/year). Over five years that's $36,120 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 Orlando, 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 Orlando? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Orlando's median income is 6% higher than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
$68,317
Orlando
Winner$72,336
Median household income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $68,317 in Albuquerque, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Orlando (about $4,019 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
17% lower crime
Orlando's crime index is 17% lower than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
293 (100 = avg)
Orlando
Winner242 (100 = avg)
Orlando's crime index is 242 versus 293 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 17% lower in Orlando. 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, Orlando 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
Orlando weather is 16% more comfortable than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
60°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 86/100
Orlando
Winner71°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Albuquerque averages about 60°F (66°F highs); Orlando averages about 71°F (78°F highs). Albuquerque averages around 60°F. Orlando sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Orlando 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 34% 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 6% higher ($72,336), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Orlando is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 17% lower than Albuquerque (242 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
Orlando runs $1,747/month while Albuquerque sits at $1,145 — roughly 34% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Orlando-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Albuquerque rent at $1,145/month is still below Orlando's $1,747, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 60°F in Albuquerque and 71°F in Orlando.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Albuquerque; Orlando only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Orlando at $72,336 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Orlando when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Albuquerque and Orlando, plus other cities in NM and FL.
