Over 560,000 people already call Albuquerque home, and it’s no wonder. Albuquerque, also known as Duke City or ABQ by the locals, is a stunning, sunshine-filled city that is known for its authentic Southwestern vibe, beautiful landscapes and for having been the setting for hit show Breaking Bad.
The cultural influences of its strong Native American, Hispanic and Latino heritage are woven into life here. You’ll enjoy delicious, unique cuisine, community-building festivals, art and more. Of course, lovers of the outdoors will have no shortage of things to keep them busy in this high desert landscape.
Read on for more about what it’s like living in Albuquerque.
Cost of Living in Albuquerque
New Mexico’s cost of living has gone up in recent years, with inflation trending along with the rest of the country since the height of the pandemic. Albuquerque, however, is one of the most affordable places to live in the state. The cost of living here is 1 percent lower than the state average and six percent lower than the national average!
Compared to U.S. numbers, Albuquerque residents enjoy savings in every major spending category, from housing and utilities to food, transportation and healthcare. That savings will come in handy, as the median household income in Albuquerque is lower too, recorded at only $61,503 in the latest census.
Housing and Real Estate in Albuquerque
Albuquerque’s real estate market has seen many of the same pain points that major metros across the U.S. are experiencing: low inventory, high demand and an increase in mortgage rates. Despite this, and despite the market still being somewhat competitive per Redfin, Realtor.com considers it a buyers’ market.
Why so? The median listing price for a home was $375,000 in July 2024, but on average those homes sold for about 10 percent below asking. The number of days homes spend on the market has been up and down since 2022, but is back on the upward trend, giving buyers more opportunity to find a new home they love.
If you’re planning to rent when moving to Albuquerque, you’ll be happy to know that while Albuquerque’s rents have been rising, the overall median rent is still a couple hundred dollars below the national numbers. Coming into September 2024, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $1,009, while the median for a two-bedroom apartment was $1,290.
Find the Best Albuquerque Neighborhoods
Albuquerque is made up of a variety of great neighborhoods fit for just about anyone. Whether you’re a family looking for great schools and parks, a young professional seeking a hopping social scene or retirees hoping to find a cozy, affordable living situation, do your research and find the neighborhood that suits your style. Check out these highly recommended neighborhoods for those moving to Albuquerque:
DOWNTOWN
Downtown Albuquerque promises some of the best shopping, dining and nightlife you’ll find in this metro area. It’s a great choice for young professionals who want to be in the heart of it all and who are looking for a short commute or walk to work.
OLD TOWN
Albuquerque’s first neighborhood is the city’s cultural center, full of history and charm. You’ll enjoy walkable streets, beautiful adobe- and pueblo-style architecture, museums, shops and a great nightlife.
NOB HILL
Located near the University of New Mexico, Nob Hill is described as hip, funky and eclectic. It is the heart of Albuquerque’s Route 66 culture and is full of bars, restaurants, galleries and shops. It’s also very walkable and features highly rated schools, making it a great neighborhood for just about anyone.
SANDIA HEIGHTS
Prefer gorgeous landscapes and a little luxury? Sandia Heights is tucked into the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. The neighborhood is known for its quiet, upscale living in a natural, peaceful environment.
BALLOON FIESTA
Who wouldn’t want to live in a neighborhood with such a fun name? With a dense suburban field, this neighborhood is great for those who love to be out and about. It has plenty to offer, from restaurants, cafes, parks and, of course, the Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for which it’s named.
What to Know About Albuquerque’s Job Market
If you’re looking to make your way into show business, Albuquerque could be a great place to do it. New Mexico is quickly becoming a hub for film and television due to its beautiful landscapes and some heavy tax incentives. In fact, in 2024, Netflix expanded its Albuquerque studios, adding thousands of jobs. This signals potential big shifts for a city that historically has been dependent on government jobs to sustain its economy.
Other key industries in ABQ include space technology, biosciences and manufacturing. Among its top employers, you’ll find Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, General Mills, Intel Corporation and the University of New Mexico.
A little something else you may love here: Albuquerque has taken a unique and successful approach to keep workers happy and small businesses growing. It recently expanded its job training program, which enables small businesses to provide free training opportunities to employees. The program has proven that upskilling employees helps small businesses to scale, which creates more jobs in the city. In turn, employees themselves experience stronger job satisfaction, better wages and are given an opportunity to gain invaluable skills that can help grow their careers. Not too shabby, Albuquerque!
Education Opportunities in Albuquerque
The Albuquerque Public Schools system is one of the city’s largest employers, serving 68,000 K-12 students in its 141 schools (including 31 charter schools). Niche ranked several of the city’s public schools as among the best in New Mexico. These include: La Cueva High, Cottonwood Classical Prep and Horizon Academy West.
For those who prefer to look into private education options, there are over 70 private schools in Albuquerque. Over half of these are religiously affiliated and there is an average tuition cost of about $10,300.
If you are looking to pursue a higher education degree, the University of New Mexico is popular for Business, Nursing and Psychology, with many other paths available.
Recreation in Albuquerque
Albuquerque has gorgeous vistas and over 300 days of sunshine each year, making it a great city for those who love to spend time outdoors.
Athletes actually come from around the world to train here due to the area’s varying elevations. But of course, residents and visitors also love to take advantage of the area’s many hiking and biking trails. The Paseo del Bosque Trail along the Rio Grande is great for a more casual stroll or bike ride, while the Sandia Mountains are a favorite spot for scenic hiking and trail rides in summer, and for snowboarding and skiing in winter. The location also makes this a great area for lovers of rock climbing, bouldering, fishing, rafting, horseback riding and so much more.
We also recommend checking out the Rio Grande Nature Center, Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway or one of the city’s several public and private golf courses.
Albuquerque is a Cultural Hot Spot
Albuquerque is known for its strong Hispanic, Latino and Native American community, but the city is actually made up of people from over 70 different ethnicities. In fact, just last year, Albuquerque was recognized as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the U.S. Though bringing a largely Southwestern vibe, it is influenced and shaped by this rich community, from the cuisine to museums to its many festivals.
Perhaps one of the most popular and well-known celebrations in ABQ is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. For over 50 years, this nine-day event has filled early-October skies with hot air balloons. While the first few fiestas showcased only 13 balloons over the city, recent events have seen over 500!
Here are a few other great things to do as you get to know your new city:
- Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and National Hispanic Cultural Center for an introduction to the two groups who have really impacted the city.
- Catch live theatrical performances at the historic KiMo Theater.
- Take a tour of historic Old Town, the heart of Albuquerque’s founding.
- Spend the day at one of the city’s 19 museums, including the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History or the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum.
- Stroll around downtown and check out the city’s great public art.
Public Transportation is Free in ABQ
You read that right! In 2023, the city of Albuquerque made its Zero Fares program permanent for all services provided by ABQ RIDE, becoming one of the few major U.S. cities to ensure its public transportation is accessible for all. ABQ RIDE operates several bus routes throughout downtown and its immediate suburbs, which is great for those working in the center of the city. The No. 50 is a convenient commute out to the airport.
For those who love getting in some exercise on their way to work, you’ll be happy to know that Albuquerque has over 400 miles of bike paths and trails. Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) buses also have racks inside to get you closer to where you need to go.
All that said, if you find you’ll need to travel outside the city limits, you have two options: the New Mexico Rail Runner Express will take you up to Santa Fe with a few stops in between. But you’ll still likely prefer to have your own car. Traffic in Albuquerque is average for any major metro area, though some residents say you’ll deal with it less if you work and live on the same side of the river instead of having to cross over.
Finding Storage Units in Albuquerque
Configuring a new home takes a lot of work. Having a climate-controlled self-storage unit can give you an opportunity to move in bits of your belongings at a time and organize or decorate as you go. A storage unit is also a great alternative to leaving precious valuables in a moving truck if you’re relocating during Albuquerque’s hot, hot summer months!
As you look for the right storage facilities in Albuquerque, remember to consider location, size, convenience and security. Find a unit that fits your needs and promises access at the times you need, a strong security system and of course reviews from many happy customers.
Tips for Your Move to Albuquerque
Relocating is a daunting task, whether it’s across town or to a new city. The best thing you can do is plan ahead to keep your stress levels down. Here are a few tips for an easier move to Albuquerque:
- Downsize. Albuquerque is warm, so maybe you won’t need those goose down winter coats and the snowshoes. Decide what you don’t need and focus on packing what you do need.
- Find a good moving company. Forget the hassle of luring your friends to help you with pizza. Finding the right moving company can make getting to your new home faster and less stressful.
- Gather packing materials. Grabbing spare boxes from friends or the grocery store is great, but don’t forget the tape, peanuts and anything else you need to keep your treasured items safe.
- Start early and small. Instead of leaving everything till the last minute, give yourself some breathing room. Find time to pack small things you don’t use every day (or every week) early, so you can save the big things to do at the last-minute.
- Store the stuff you don’t need right away. Make arrangements for a self-storage unit to hold anything you won’t need right away. This is essential if you have a lot of organizing to do in the new home, or if you’re still looking for the right place to live.
