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City comparison

Philadelphia, PA vs Albuquerque, NM

Safety is where Philadelphia and Albuquerque split most clearly. Philadelphia scores 159 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,810 in Philadelphia and $1,464 in Albuquerque.

Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Albuquerque is the easier city on typical rent, but Philadelphia 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 $1,464 average has pockets that run $1,264 and others at $1,864: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

Full Philadelphia reportFull Albuquerque report

Philadelphia, PA

Rent
1,810/mo
Median income
57,537
Crime index
128
Schools
A-
Weather
74°F

Albuquerque, NM

Rent
1,464/mo
Median income
61,503
Crime index
287
Schools
A-
Weather
83°F

Rent

19% cheaper

Albuquerque rent is 19% cheaper than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

$1,810/mo

Albuquerque

Winner

$1,464/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,464 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,810 in Philadelphia, so Albuquerque is 19% 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 $4,152, 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 Philadelphia.

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Median income

7% higher

Albuquerque's median income is 7% higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

$57,537

Albuquerque

Winner

$61,503

What this means for your life

Median household income is $61,503 in Albuquerque versus $57,537 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Albuquerque (about $3,966 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

55% lower crime

Philadelphia's crime index is 55% lower than Albuquerque

Philadelphia

Winner

128 (100 = avg)

Albuquerque

287 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Philadelphia's crime index is 128 versus 287 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 55% lower in Philadelphia. 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, Philadelphia is the easier city. Albuquerque can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

School scores

Neck and neck

Philadelphia and Albuquerque are about even on school scores.

Philadelphia

A- · 84/100

Albuquerque

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Philadelphia, A- in Albuquerque). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better. At this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

15% more comfortable

Philadelphia weather is 15% more comfortable than Albuquerque

Philadelphia

Winner

74°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100

Albuquerque

83°F avg · 93°F highs · comfort 87/100

What this means for your life

Philadelphia averages about 74°F (82°F highs); Albuquerque averages about 83°F (93°F highs). Philadelphia sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Albuquerque stays warm most of the year (around 83°F), so plan for AC bills and heat when you are outdoors. Philadelphia scores 15% 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

Who should choose Philadelphia

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Pick Philadelphia if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (74°F) beat Albuquerque on this page's weather index by 15%. Albuquerque may pay more or cost less, but Philadelphia is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 55% lower than Albuquerque (128 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.

Open the Philadelphia report →

Fit check

Who should choose Albuquerque

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 19% cheaper here at about $1,464 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 7% higher here ($61,503). Start with Albuquerque if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Albuquerque report →

Bottom line

Philadelphia vs Albuquerque: Our Take

Philadelphia and Albuquerque split the scoreboard, so this page tips to Albuquerque as the stronger default package for most movers.

Albuquerque's typical rent runs 19% lower than Philadelphia ($1,464/month vs $1,810/month), which is real money over a lease.

The main trade-off: Philadelphia posts a 55% lower crime index (128 vs 287, where 100 is the national average).

The decision comes down to whether you value cost of living more than safety. For most middle-income movers, Albuquerque is the stronger choice.

Common questions

Philadelphia vs Albuquerque FAQ

Is Philadelphia cheaper than Albuquerque?
No. Albuquerque is cheaper: typical rent is $1,464 a month versus $1,810 in Philadelphia (19% lower). Median household income is $57,537 in Philadelphia compared with $61,503 in Albuquerque, so Albuquerque has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Philadelphia or Albuquerque?
Philadelphia is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 128 versus 287 in Albuquerque (55% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Philadelphia or Albuquerque?
School composites are close: A- in Philadelphia and A- in Albuquerque. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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