City comparison
Yes. San Antonio's crime index is 212 versus 293 in Albuquerque, and its violent crime index is 164 versus 320, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Albuquerque is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,324 in San Antonio.
Safety is where San Antonio and Albuquerque split most clearly. San Antonio scores 81 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,324 in San Antonio and $1,145 in Albuquerque.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Albuquerque is the easier city on typical rent, but San Antonio can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. San Antonio has rougher pockets and Albuquerque has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
San Antonio and Albuquerque are 616 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,324 a month in San Antonio to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, down $179 a month (14%).
Median household income goes from $65,056 in San Antonio to $68,317 in Albuquerque, up $3,261 (5%).
The crime index goes from 212 in San Antonio to 293 in Albuquerque, up 81 points (38%).
The move
Albuquerque and San Antonio are 616 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,324 a month in San Antonio, up $179 a month (16%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $65,056 in San Antonio, down $3,261 (5%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 212 in San Antonio, down 81 points (28%).
San Antonio, 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 San Antonio and Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
14% cheaper
Albuquerque rent is 14% cheaper than San Antonio
San Antonio
$1,324/mo
Albuquerque
Winner$1,145/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,324 in San Antonio, so Albuquerque is 14% 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 $2,148, 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 San Antonio.
Planning to buy in Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
Albuquerque's median income is 5% higher than San Antonio
San Antonio
$65,056
Albuquerque
Winner$68,317
Median household income is $68,317 in Albuquerque versus $65,056 in San Antonio, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Albuquerque (about $3,261 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
28% lower crime
San Antonio's crime index is 28% lower than Albuquerque
San Antonio
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Albuquerque
293 (100 = avg)
San Antonio's crime index is 212 versus 293 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 28% lower in San Antonio. 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, San Antonio 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
San Antonio weather is 3% more comfortable than Albuquerque
San Antonio
Winner75°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Albuquerque
64°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 97/100
San Antonio averages about 75°F (85°F highs); Albuquerque averages about 64°F (72°F highs). San Antonio sits near 75°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Albuquerque averages around 64°F. San Antonio 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 San Antonio if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (75°F) beat Albuquerque on this page's weather index by 3%. Albuquerque may pay more or cost less, but San Antonio is the city where the forecast fights you less.
San Antonio is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 28% lower than Albuquerque (212 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 14% 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
Safety is the widest gap: San Antonio scores 37/100 versus 27/100 in Albuquerque. Rent is $1,324/month in San Antonio and $1,145/month in Albuquerque, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
With only $179 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Median income is $68,317 in Albuquerque versus $65,056 in San Antonio.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in San Antonio; Albuquerque only makes sense when you have walked the Albuquerque ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,145 rent.
Common questions
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