City comparison
Yes. Houston's crime index is 270 versus 293 in Albuquerque, and its violent crime index is 294 versus 320, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Albuquerque is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,361 in Houston.
Houston and Albuquerque 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 $1,361 in Houston and $1,145 in Albuquerque, and median household income lands at $64,813 versus $68,317. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Albuquerque is the easier city on typical rent, but Houston can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. 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
Houston and Albuquerque are 753 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, down $216 a month (16%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $68,317 in Albuquerque, up $3,504 (5%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 293 in Albuquerque, up 23 points (9%).
The move
Albuquerque and Houston are 753 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,361 a month in Houston, up $216 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $64,813 in Houston, down $3,504 (5%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 270 in Houston, down 23 points (8%).
Houston, 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 Houston and Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
16% cheaper
Albuquerque rent is 16% cheaper than Houston
Houston
$1,361/mo
Albuquerque
Winner$1,145/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,361 in Houston, so Albuquerque is 16% 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 $2,592, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Albuquerque still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Houston.
Planning to buy in Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
Albuquerque's median income is 5% higher than Houston
Houston
$64,813
Albuquerque
Winner$68,317
Median household income is $68,317 in Albuquerque versus $64,813 in Houston, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Albuquerque (about $3,504 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
8% lower crime
Houston's crime index is 8% lower than Albuquerque
Houston
Winner270 (100 = avg)
Albuquerque
293 (100 = avg)
Houston's crime index is 270 versus 293 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% lower in Houston. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Houston, 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
3% more comfortable
Houston weather is 3% more comfortable than Albuquerque
Houston
Winner77°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Albuquerque
64°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 97/100
Houston averages about 77°F (85°F highs); Albuquerque averages about 64°F (72°F highs). Houston sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Albuquerque averages around 64°F. Houston 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Houston if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (77°F) beat Albuquerque on this page's weather index by 3%. Albuquerque may pay more or cost less, but Houston is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Houston 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 (270 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Albuquerque is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 16% 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.
Albuquerque is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 5% higher here ($68,317). Start with Albuquerque if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Albuquerque at $1,145/month versus $1,361 in Houston ($216 apart). Houston median income is $64,813 against $68,317 in Albuquerque, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Safety scores read 30/100 in Houston and 27/100 in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Houston deserves a serious look only when your $64,813 income offer in Houston outweighs saving $216/month in Albuquerque.
Weather averages land near 77°F in Houston and 64°F in Albuquerque.
Common questions
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