City comparison
Yes. Dallas's crime index is 188 versus 293 in Albuquerque, and its violent crime index is 179 versus 320, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Albuquerque is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,472 in Dallas.
Safety is where Dallas and Albuquerque split most clearly. Dallas scores 105 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,472 in Dallas and $1,145 in Albuquerque.
Dallas 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 Dallas 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
Dallas and Albuquerque are 586 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Dallas to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, down $327 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $70,518 in Dallas to $68,317 in Albuquerque, down $2,201 (3%).
The crime index goes from 188 in Dallas to 293 in Albuquerque, up 105 points (56%).
The move
Albuquerque and Dallas are 586 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,472 a month in Dallas, up $327 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $70,518 in Dallas, up $2,201 (3%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 188 in Dallas, down 105 points (36%).
Dallas, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Albuquerque, NM
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Dallas and Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Albuquerque rent is 22% cheaper than Dallas
Dallas
$1,472/mo
Albuquerque
Winner$1,145/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,472 in Dallas, so Albuquerque is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $327/month back in your pocket ($3,924/year). Over five years that's $19,620 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 Dallas, 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 Dallas? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
Dallas's median income is 3% higher than Albuquerque
Dallas
Winner$70,518
Albuquerque
$68,317
Median household income is $70,518 in Dallas versus $68,317 in Albuquerque, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Dallas (about $2,201 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
36% lower crime
Dallas's crime index is 36% lower than Albuquerque
Dallas
Winner188 (100 = avg)
Albuquerque
293 (100 = avg)
Dallas's crime index is 188 versus 293 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 36% lower in Dallas. 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, Dallas 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
3% more comfortable
Dallas weather is 3% more comfortable than Albuquerque
Dallas
Winner73°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Albuquerque
64°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 97/100
Dallas averages about 73°F (82°F highs); Albuquerque averages about 64°F (72°F highs). Dallas sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Albuquerque averages around 64°F. Dallas 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 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 3% higher ($70,518), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 73°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Dallas is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 36% lower than Albuquerque (188 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 Albuquerque
Albuquerque is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 22% 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.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Dallas leads on safety (41/100 vs 27/100 in Albuquerque). Typical rent is $1,472 in Dallas and $1,145 in Albuquerque; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Dallas still pays more locally ($70,518 median income vs $68,317), which can offset the lease if your field pays Dallas rates.
Median income is $70,518 in Dallas versus $68,317 in Albuquerque.
Dallas is ahead on safety (41/100 vs 27/100); Albuquerque is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,145/month rent plus $68,317 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
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