City comparison
Yes. Albuquerque's crime index is 293 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 320 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,145 in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque and Wichita are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,145 in Albuquerque and $975 in Wichita, and median household income lands at $68,317 versus $64,620. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Wichita costs less and Albuquerque 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.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Albuquerque and Wichita are 548 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $975 a month in Wichita, down $170 a month (15%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $64,620 in Wichita, down $3,697 (5%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 326 in Wichita, up 33 points (11%).
The move
Wichita and Albuquerque are 548 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, up $170 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $68,317 in Albuquerque, up $3,697 (6%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 293 in Albuquerque, down 33 points (10%).
Albuquerque, NM
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Wichita, KS
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Albuquerque and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
15% cheaper
Wichita rent is 15% cheaper than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
$1,145/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,145 in Albuquerque, so Wichita is 15% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,040, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Wichita still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Albuquerque.
Planning to buy in Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Albuquerque's median income is 6% higher than Wichita
Albuquerque
Winner$68,317
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $68,317 in Albuquerque versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Albuquerque (about $3,697 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
10% lower crime
Albuquerque's crime index is 10% lower than Wichita
Albuquerque
Winner293 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Albuquerque's crime index is 293 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 10% 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 Wichita. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Wichita weather is 3% more comfortable than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
60°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 86/100
Wichita
Winner61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Albuquerque averages about 60°F (66°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Albuquerque averages around 60°F. Wichita averages around 61°F. Wichita scores 3% 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Albuquerque is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 6% higher here ($68,317). Start with Albuquerque if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Albuquerque is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 10% lower than Wichita (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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Wichita is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 15% cheaper here at about $975 a month. Choose Wichita if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Wichita if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (61°F) beat Albuquerque on this page's weather index by 3%. Albuquerque may pay more or cost less, but Wichita is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Albuquerque runs $1,145/month while Wichita sits at $975 — roughly 15% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Albuquerque-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Wichita rent at $975/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 $64,620 in Wichita.
Wichita is the default on housing cost at $975/month versus $1,145 in Albuquerque; Albuquerque stays in play when $68,317 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $170 lease gap.
With rent only $170 apart, neither city wins on housing alone — let income ($68,317 vs $64,620) and safety (27/100 vs 24/100) break the tie.
Common questions
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