City comparison
Yes. Denver's crime index is 271 versus 293 in Albuquerque, and its violent crime index is 272 versus 320, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Albuquerque is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
The income gap between Denver and Albuquerque is significant: $94,718 median household versus $68,317. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,831 in Denver and $1,145 in Albuquerque.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Albuquerque costs less and Denver 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
Denver and Albuquerque are 334 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, down $686 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $68,317 in Albuquerque, down $26,401 (28%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 293 in Albuquerque, up 22 points (8%).
The move
Albuquerque and Denver are 334 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $686 a month (60%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $94,718 in Denver, up $26,401 (39%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 271 in Denver, down 22 points (8%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Albuquerque rent is 37% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Albuquerque
Winner$1,145/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,831 in Denver, so Albuquerque is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $686/month back in your pocket ($8,232/year). Over five years that's $41,160 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 Denver, 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
39% higher
Denver's median income is 39% higher than Albuquerque
Denver
Winner$94,718
Albuquerque
$68,317
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $68,317 in Albuquerque, so typical pay runs 39% higher in Denver (about $26,401 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, Denver 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
8% lower crime
Denver's crime index is 8% lower than Albuquerque
Denver
Winner271 (100 = avg)
Albuquerque
293 (100 = avg)
Denver's crime index is 271 versus 293 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% lower in Denver. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Denver, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Albuquerque. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Albuquerque weather is 9% more comfortable than Denver
Denver
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Albuquerque
Winner65°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Albuquerque averages about 65°F (72°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Albuquerque sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Albuquerque scores 9% 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 Denver 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
Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 39% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Denver is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 8% lower than Albuquerque (271 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
Albuquerque is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 37% 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 Denver on this page's weather index by 9%. Denver may pay more or cost less, but Albuquerque is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,145/month in Albuquerque versus $1,831 in Denver. Median income reads $68,317 in Albuquerque and $94,718 in Denver, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Albuquerque rent at $1,145/month is still below Denver's $1,831, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 30/100 in Denver and 27/100 in Albuquerque.
If housing cost drives your move, Albuquerque is the stronger match ($1,145/month rent against $1,831). If an employer or family tie already points to Denver, treat $1,831/month rent and $94,718 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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