City comparison
Yes. Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 293 in Albuquerque, and its violent crime index is 252 versus 320, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Albuquerque is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia 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 $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,145 in Albuquerque, and median household income lands at $61,953 versus $68,317. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Albuquerque is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Albuquerque 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
Philadelphia and Albuquerque are 1,749 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, down $252 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $68,317 in Albuquerque, up $6,364 (10%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 293 in Albuquerque, up 32 points (12%).
The move
Albuquerque and Philadelphia are 1,749 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $252 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $6,364 (9%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 261 in Philadelphia, down 32 points (11%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
18% cheaper
Albuquerque rent is 18% cheaper than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
Albuquerque
Winner$1,145/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so Albuquerque is 18% 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 $3,024, 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.
Planning to buy in Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Albuquerque's median income is 10% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Albuquerque
Winner$68,317
Median household income is $68,317 in Albuquerque versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Albuquerque (about $6,364 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
11% lower crime
Philadelphia's crime index is 11% lower than Albuquerque
Philadelphia
Winner261 (100 = avg)
Albuquerque
293 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 293 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% lower in Philadelphia. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Philadelphia, 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
17% more comfortable
Albuquerque weather is 17% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
Albuquerque
Winner64°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 97/100
Philadelphia averages about 59°F (67°F highs); Albuquerque averages about 64°F (72°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Albuquerque averages around 64°F. Albuquerque scores 17% 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 Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 11% lower than Albuquerque (261 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 plus year-round outdoor access
Albuquerque is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 18% 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.
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 10% higher ($68,317), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 64°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,145/month in Albuquerque versus $1,397 in Philadelphia. Median income reads $68,317 in Albuquerque and $61,953 in Philadelphia, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Safety scores read 31/100 in Philadelphia and 27/100 in Albuquerque.
If housing cost drives your move, Albuquerque is the stronger match ($1,145/month rent against $1,397). If an employer or family tie already points to Philadelphia, treat $1,397/month rent and $61,953 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Weather averages land near 59°F in Philadelphia and 64°F in Albuquerque.
Common questions
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