Chandler is a better place to live in compared to Albuquerque. It has a very stable and diverse economy with an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Meanwhile, ABQ is an affordable city in New Mexico with an unemployment rate of 7.4%.
If you are seeking a good location, Chandler is an excellent choice. It is conveniently located in the central part of the Phoenix Metro Area. You have access to modern facilities and major highways that run through Phoenix.
Meanwhile, Albuquerque is surrounded by majestic landmarks, including the infamous Sandia Mountains. The Rio Grande River also runs around the city. You will find the town a beautiful place to retire with this setting.
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What are the Pros and Cons of Chandler vs. Albuquerque?
Chandler can boast about its healthy economy that generates jobs for the people but suffers from traffic congestion. In comparison, Albuquerque is an inexpensive city that offers a great life outdoors. ABQ also has an ongoing issue of a high crime rate.
Living in Chandler
Pros
- Healthy economy
- Top-notch learning institutions
- Friendly and desirable neighborhoods
- Entertainment and recreations
- Satisfying dining scene
Chandler has a diverse economy with manufacturing, retail, trade, and health care industries.
The city is home to big companies like Intel Corporation, Toyota Financial, and Arion Care Solutions.
It also has mining, gas extraction, professional, and quarrying sectors.
The unemployment rate also goes to a steady decline. It is now below the US rate of 3.9%. As a result, the average salary in Chandler is very competitive at $54,000.
You have several options if you are looking for schools for your kids. Chandler has Know Gifted Academy, Chandler Traditional Academy-Independence, Bright Beginnings School, and more.
Chandler also has plenty of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offerings. You can choose Arizona State University, Phoenix, or Benedictine University.
You will never find it difficult to adjust to the city. It has friendly and desirable neighborhoods ideal for raising a family—the Circle G at Riggs Homestead Ranch, Fulton Ranch, and West Chandler.
Due to its closeness to the Phoenix metro area, you get to enjoy great amenities. You can also benefit from the ongoing developments in most of the city’s communities. Most of these neighborhoods have spacious areas and are complete with amenities.
Chandler is an exciting city with museums, open spaces, and leisure parks. When you visit the Koli Equestrian Center, you can take a day horseback ride.
The Tumbleweed Recreation Center provides a perfect place for families to bond. The center has sports facilities, including racquetball courts, dance studios, play areas, etc.
Then, the Chandler Fashion Center has more than 180 retail shops available. You can hunt bargain goods at Macy’s, Dillard’s Sears, or Nordstrom. Disney Store and Lego have stalled in the area for your children.
The city has many restaurants under its belt. You will never run out of place to have nightlife or get a high-end dining experience. Some of the top spots are the DC Steak House, The Perch Brewery, and the Singing Pandas Asian Restaurant & Bar.
The DC Steakhouse offers an excellent venue for a romantic night out. Meanwhile, The Perch Brewery attracts you with its local brews and delicious grub. You can also pick the Singing Pandas Asian Restaurant & Bar for low-cost Asian dishes.
Cons
- More commute time
- HOA Fees
Even though significant highways are very accessible, they are often too crowded. Since there is an increase in population in the area, traffic building up becomes a persistent issue. More cars are now on the road, making the commute a bit longer than in the past.
You could spend more time on the road when you commute at peak hours. You will find yourself spending more time in the car during rush hour.
Chandler has excellent neighborhoods where you can settle to live. However, this comes with a price. Most of these places impose HOA fees on their residents. The home owner’s association also have rules and regulation you must follow.
Some have specific requirements for color roofing, landscaping, and mailbox locations. It may sound petty for some, but most of these rules are strictly be followed.
Living in Albuquerque
Pros
- Cost of living below the national average
- Exciting outdoor life
- Delicious New Mexican cuisine
- Culture and festivities
- Bike lane for cyclists
Albuquerque might be the right place for you if you want to live to cut expenses. The cost of living is very cheap, 5% below the median rate.
If you have $250,000, you can already afford to buy a single-family house. Other significant expenses like health care, utilities, food, and groceries are also reasonably priced here.
Another reason to move to Albuquerque is to experience its life outdoor. The city has lots of beautiful landmarks too. It has the Sandia Mountains on the west side and the Rio Grande River on the other.
They offer the perfect place to hike, trek, and run. The Sandia Crest, for instance, is a must-visit place in ABQ during the winters. You can ski downhill and enjoy other winter activities. On another side of the city, the Rio Grande offers hunting places.
For the best-tasting culinary experience, you can never go wrong with Albuquerque. The city has the most exciting flavors in the southwest. Its dishes offer an impressive fusion of New Mexican, Native American, and Spanish flavors.
Plus, it has a wide range of restaurants and bars for an authentic New Mexican dining experience. You can check out the El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina or the Campo at Los Poblanos.
The people of Albuquerque are proud of its indigenous roots. It has a thriving community of Native Americans. When you visit the Indian Pueblo Center, you will discover and learn this group’s culture and way of life.
More than that, the locals love celebrating festivities. You can participate in the annual Flamenco Festival or the International Hot Air Balloon Festival. Both are weeklong celebrations with fun-filled activities.
ABQ may not have state-of-the-art transportation infrastructures; it offers a healthier alternative to go around the city. It is a cyclist haven with a dedicated lane for cyclists. The town has bicycle boulevards with road signs to ensure bikers are safe at all times.
Plus, the city imposes 18 miles per hour speed limit to alert motorists of the presence of bikers. Its bike trails correspond to 400 miles biking routes.
Cons
- Schools could be better
- Crime is always an issue
New Mexico constantly ranks low among the cities in the United States in education. It ranks 49th out of 50 as the best city for education. If you are looking for the best city to give your kids a quality education, you might want to reconsider ABQ.
The rating considered graduation rate, AP exam results, and enrollment. Public schools in the city are not as reliable compared to other places. If you start living in ABQ, you want to consider sending your kids to private school.
The city is consistently struggling with its high crime year. Even in the past years, it has received a higher crime rate than the national average. In any part of the city, you may still encounter crime in your daily lives.
Statistically speaking, New Mexico has recorded the highest rate of property crime in the entire country. The crime results from a high unemployment rate, poverty, and low graduation rate.
Chandler or Albuquerque – Which is cheaper?
Albuquerque is 19.4% cheaper than Chandler. Housing costs are way more expensive in Chandler compared to Albuquerque. You only need $203,500 for a single-family home in ABQ, while it will cost you $319,200 in Chandler.
| Living expenses | Chandler | Albuquerque |
| Housing | 138.1% | 88% |
| Food & Groceries | 99% | 96% |
| Health | 92.5% | 81.1% |
| Utilities | 101.6% | 97.2% |
| Transportation | 112% | 89.4% |
Data is based on 100 = US National Average
> 100 means more expensive than the national average
< 100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing cost
The main factor why Chandler is more expensive than ABQ is real estate. Housing cost in Chandler is 27% higher than the median rate. When comparing it to Albuquerque, the rate difference is 36%.
If you plan to live in Chandler, investing in real estate as soon as possible is better. The housing market in the city is rapidly increasing, causing a spike in prices, too.
Utility cost
The cost of utilities is also higher in Chandler than in ABQ. The rate is even pricier than the national average. While in ABQ, you will find your utility bills 5% lower than the average.
Food & groceries cost
The cost of food and groceries in both cities is below the median rate. But if you compare these two cities, essential items like bread, milk, and meat are still slightly costlier in Chandler than in ABQ. You can save more in ABQ given that your daily expenses like food are cheaper.
Transportation cost
Albuquerque has a cheaper transportation cost. Based on the recent data, the transportation price is 20% higher in Chandler. The cost in Arizona is higher since the state imposes higher vehicle registrations and insurance rates. When you choose to own a car in Chandler, you also need to pay these fees.
Health care cost
One of the most necessary living expenses is health care. The cost of medical services in both cities is below the median rate. But you will still find Chandler a more expensive city if you factor in the price of medical services.
Is Albuquerque bigger than Chandler?
Albuquerque is way larger than Chandler in terms of territory. ABQ has around 187 square miles of land cover, while Chandler only has 58 square miles. Given the total area covered, it is safe to say that there are more people in ABQ than in Chandler, too.
Nevertheless, it does not mean that Chandler is a small city. Based on its recent development, it has rapidly increased population growth in the past years. Even with its limited space, the population is already around 250,000.
Meanwhile, the population growth of ABQ remains to be steady. It maintains its number of around half a million people. Most people who relocate to ABQ are retirees or veterans. Since the city does not have a robust economy, young ones choose to move to another city for employment.
Is Chandler safer than Albuquerque?
Chandler is relatively a safe city compared to Albuquerque. Its crime rate of 13.2% is below the median rate of 22.7%. In contrast, ABQ remains a crime index higher than the national average.
New Mexico, in general, has been recording crime rates higher than the average. The reason behind this is its struggling economy and its ever-depressing poverty rate. ABQ is notoriously known for being a dangerous city.
The city government failed to address the issue, too. ABQ ranks fifth in the United States regarding violent crimes committed. The numbers have continued to increase up until now.
Is Albuquerque warmer than Chandler?
Chandler, Arizona’s climate is very hot, especially during the summers. Compared to ABQ, it is warmer. The temperature could go as high as 100 degrees in summers, while ABQ only records 90 degrees.
The warmest month of the year in Chandler is July. During this time, the weather condition is intolerable. The temperature goes up to 100 degrees. People resort to air conditioning to address the harsh weather condition.
Meanwhile, ABQ is also a warm city. It also receives more sunny days than rainy days annually. However, summers are more tolerable in ABQ than Chandler, given that solid winds usually accompany the heat.
Is Chandler better than Albuquerque?
Chandler is safer and offers excellent neighborhoods than Albuquerque. It is better than ABQ when it comes to providing a higher quality of life. Its fast-growing and diverse economy also gives way more opportunities to its residents.
However, if you consider the affordability, you will find ABQ preferable. It makes an ideal retirement haven, too. Its stunning landscapes are hard to ignore.
ABQ is perfect for retirees who want to enjoy retirement benefits and pension better. With a cheaper cost of living, you need not worry about spending too much in the city.
On the other side, Chandler is great for young professionals and those who want to start a family. Given the city’s potential to generate more employment and opportunities, you will find this a desirable place.
So, Chandler versus Albuquerque – Where are you moving to? Let me know your thoughts.