City comparison
No. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 293 in Albuquerque, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 320, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Albuquerque is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
Safety is where Albuquerque and Raleigh split most clearly. Raleigh scores 151 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 $1,572 in Raleigh.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Albuquerque costs less and Raleigh pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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 Raleigh are 1,572 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $427 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $17,078 (25%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 142 in Raleigh, down 151 points (52%).
The move
Raleigh and Albuquerque are 1,572 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, down $427 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $68,317 in Albuquerque, down $17,078 (20%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 293 in Albuquerque, up 151 points (106%).
Albuquerque, NM
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Raleigh, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Albuquerque and Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Albuquerque rent is 27% cheaper than Raleigh
Albuquerque
Winner$1,145/mo
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Albuquerque is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $427/month back in your pocket ($5,124/year). Over five years that's $25,620 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 Raleigh, 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 Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
25% higher
Raleigh's median income is 25% higher than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
$68,317
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $68,317 in Albuquerque, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Raleigh (about $17,078 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, Raleigh 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
52% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 52% lower than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
293 (100 = avg)
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 293 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 52% lower in Raleigh. 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, Raleigh 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
Albuquerque weather is 16% more comfortable than Raleigh
Albuquerque
Winner65°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Albuquerque averages about 65°F (72°F highs); Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs). Albuquerque sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Raleigh averages around 60°F. Albuquerque 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 Raleigh if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Albuquerque is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% 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.
Pick Albuquerque if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (65°F) beat Raleigh on this page's weather index by 16%. Raleigh may pay more or cost less, but Albuquerque is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 25% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 52% lower than Albuquerque (142 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
Safety is the widest gap: Raleigh scores 49/100 versus 27/100 in Albuquerque. Rent is $1,572/month in Raleigh and $1,145/month in Albuquerque, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Raleigh still pays more locally ($85,395 median income vs $68,317), which can offset the lease if your field pays Raleigh rates.
Median income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $68,317 in Albuquerque.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Raleigh; Albuquerque only makes sense when you have walked the Albuquerque ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,145 rent.
Common questions
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