Colorado Springs is the best place to live because it offers a great education system, has a burgeoning economy, and is safer. In contrast, Albuquerque is culturally rich and has a cheaper cost of living but is also among the dangerous cities in the country.
Colorado Springs is at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, with Pikes Peak close and the beautiful Garden of the Gods park directly in the city.
Colorado Springs is widely known as one of the best places in the United States. You can observe some of the country’s most breathtaking natural wonders in this city.
Albuquerque is in the high desert of New Mexico. Its contemporary Downtown center stands in stark contrast to Old Town Albuquerque. Additionally, Albuquerque is known as “The Duke City” and “Burque.”
If you plan to move to either city, it is best to compare and contrast.
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What are the Pros and Cons of Albuquerque vs. Colorado Springs?
Albuquerque offers cheap living costs, rich culture, tolerable traffic but has a dismaying crime rate. Meanwhile, Colorado Springs has higher housing costs and traffic; but it also boasts rapid economic growth, an excellent education system, and is among the safest city in the USA.
Living in Colorado Springs
Pros
- #6 Best place to live
- Undeniable rapid economic growth
- A safe city
- Nightlife and food
- Excellent school system
- Health and fitness
- Best air quality
Colorado Springs placed in sixth place on the US News & World Report ranking of the nation’s 150 most populated metro regions. A city has to have good value, a desirable place to live, have a robust employment market, and excellent quality of life to make the top of the list.
Compared to ABQ, which placed 120 in the rankings, Colorado Springs ranked higher.
Both the economy and the population of Colorado Springs have grown at an exponential rate. Many of the companies in Colorado Springs are locally owned, which makes it distinct. Currently, 92% of Colorado Springs’ companies are small or locally owned.
The employment rate of Colorado Springs is a little over 64%, which keeps the economy humming. In Colorado Springs, households make a median annual income of $64,712, a living wage.
On the other hand, single inhabitants earn an average of $34,076 per year, which is livable but not very high.
The job market in Colorado Springs increased by 4.1% last year. In Colorado Springs, there has been a ten-year population growth that has coincided with an increase in employment.
Never will you hear someone state that Colorado Springs is one of Colorado’s most hazardous cities. Colorado Springs has a low crime rate, which means you’ll be safe while you’re here.
In Colorado Springs, you have a one in 180 chance of being a victim of a violent crime.
Theft and burglary are more likely, with a one in 30 probability of occurring. In Colorado Springs, there are 95 crimes per square mile. However, most of them are theft-related.
There are many pubs, restaurants, and cafés in Colorado Springs, and visitors may dine with a view of the state’s stunning Rocky Mountains. COS offers something for everyone’s taste, from bakeries to steakhouses to Mexican eateries.
If you’re a gourmet, you’ll like the diversity of dining options available in Colorado Springs, particularly the fine dining restaurants. Colorado Springs also has several restaurants that serve vegan and vegetarian fare, which many other cities have yet to do.
Because the school system is one of the best in the region, it is especially popular with families with children. Test scores in Colorado Springs schools are usually good, and high schools prepare students for college.
There are many schools and institutions in and around Colorado Springs, and the city is popular with commuting students. Two of Colorado’s premier universities also have satellite campuses in Colorado Springs.
In Colorado Springs, fitness is a way of life. The main reason is that there are numerous nearby state and local parks with winding bike and walking paths, challenging treks, rivers, lakes, and streams for kayaking, paddle boarding, and other water activities.
Residents may enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other winter activities in Colorado Springs throughout the winter months.
There are plenty of yoga studios, dancing classes, gyms, cycling, rowing, and other fitness trends to choose from in town. Even if you haven’t always been a fitness fanatic, you’ll probably develop some good habits.
Colorado Springs boasts some of the best air in the country, regularly rating in the top ten for total quality. Although the arid environment and high altitude might make life difficult, you will notice more days of sunlight and beautiful sky after you move here.
The majority of individuals will immediately notice the change. One of the main reasons many elite athletic training programs for the international competition put their headquarters in the city is this advantage.
Cons
- Above national average housing prices
- Traffic congestion issue
- Homeless population
Housing expenses in Colorado Springs are higher than the national average, although they are inexpensive compared to Denver or Vail.
The typical property value in Colorado Springs is $269,800, while the average monthly rent is $1,131. In Colorado Springs, around 41% of the population leases their house, while the remainder of the city are homeowners.
Although housing expenses in Colorado Springs have increased by 9%, plenty of inexpensive choices are still available.
In Colorado Springs, monthly ownership expenses average $1,565 on average, with bills accounting for up to $450. Colorado Springs households’ mortgage payments are frequently $1,100 or more per month; however, rates vary.
In Colorado Springs, your early commute may be a source of stress to begin the day. As you pass past, the sights are beautiful, but the clogged streets and roads are not. The slow-moving, congested traffic is likely a result of the city’s recent 16.7% population rise.
In Colorado Springs, the average travel time is 22 minutes, although it may take much longer. Winter weather in Colorado Springs may extend up to eight months, resulting in snow-covered highways.
Even though the number of homeless people in Colorado Springs has decreased by about 30%, the city still has a large homeless population.
There are now 1,116 homeless persons in Colorado Springs, which is horrible. Colorado Springs has a poverty rate of 11.7 percent, which adds to the homeless population.
Living in Albuquerque
Pros
- Old Town and cultural heritage
- Annual balloon festival
- High quality of life and lower taxes
- Perfect for stargazing
- Least traffic congestion
- Good air quality
When you visit Albuquerque Old Town, you can observe how a city can appreciate its heritage to the fullest extent possible.
You can watch how the distinctive architecture of the past has not gone out of style in Albuquerque Old Town. Their adobe creations exemplify what makes the southwest so fascinating.
Five museums and stores selling Native American handicrafts are among the old adobe buildings in Old Town. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, located nearby, chronicles the area’s indigenous heritage.
Albuquerque preserves its cultural heritage, which explains the city’s great cultural centers and festivals.
The annual Balloon Fiesta is one of the most entertaining things in Albuquerque. Every October, this festival takes place over nine days.
If you think that’s a lot of trouble for something that appears somewhat regular, keep in mind that these aren’t your typical balloons. Instead, the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico, showcases gigantic hot air balloons.
These gigantic balloons are exceptional in every manner, with beautiful designs, large sizes, and vibrant colors. You’ll be sure to applaud as these hundreds of balloons soar across the sky.
Also, the Balloon Museum is another excellent feature of this southwestern city.
Albuquerque’s cost of living is 5% cheaper than the national average, allowing people to enjoy a high quality of life. The area’s typical home price is roughly $185,400, while the median monthly rent is $816, nearly 14% less than the national average.
Besides the low cost of living, the average property in Albuquerque sells for around $182,000 on the market. A 900-square-foot apartment would set you back $840 per month to rent.
Not to mention that, in addition to low property taxes, Albuquerque’s state income tax is 24% lower than the national average. Its low-income tax makes it affordable to live, work, and retire.
Albuquerque is almost a mile above sea level, at the height of 5,313 feet. Albuquerque is one of the most fantastic places for stargazing because of this aspect, with low light pollution.
The University of New Mexico Campus Observatory offers the most incredible view of the night sky through its telescope, which is open to the public every Friday night.
No matter where you are in Albuquerque, you will always be treated to a breathtaking vista of the dazzling sky.
Albuquerque rush hour commutes are among the easiest in the country compared to other metro regions of comparable size. One local states that her daily journey on I-40 takes only 15 to 20 minutes, but the average one-way travel takes 21.3 minutes.
New Mexico came in second after Mississippi for minor traffic congestion due to its desert temperature and lack of wet days, making commutes less stressful.
Albuquerque’s PM2.5 concentration is within the WHO’s yearly air quality guideline value. Thus, the air quality in Albuquerque is generally better than in most cities.
When you take a deep breath in Albuquerque, you don’t have to worry about filthy particles or air pollution because the city has one of the country’s lowest rates of air pollution.
Cons
- Daunting crime rate
- Inadequate employment opportunity
In terms of violent crime, Albuquerque placed sixth. Theft and burglary are twice as common as in the rest of the country, and auto theft is nearly three times as common.
On a scale of one to ten, Albuquerque earns an 85.3 for property crime. Albuquerque had a score of 51 for violent crimes, which is higher than the national average of 22.7.
If you’re thinking about moving to Albuquerque, make sure you investigate the safest neighborhoods and districts first, such as North Valley, which is known for having the city’s lowest crime rate.
The employment market in Albuquerque is rated 6.0/10.0 by US News, indicating that it is less healthy than similar-sized metro regions.
Albuquerque’s unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 5.5 percent in November 2021. The metro’s unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points lower than New Mexico’s in the same month.
The unemployment rate in Albuquerque peaked at 12.2% in July 2020 and is now 6.7 percentage points lower.
However, ABQ’s 5.5% unemployment rate is still high compared to the national rate of 4.2 percent.
Albuquerque or Colorado Springs – Which is more expensive?
Living in Colorado Springs is 14.7% more expensive than in Albuquerque. Food, groceries, health, housing, and transportation expenses are cheaper in Albuquerque than in Colorado Springs.
| Living expenses | Colorado Springs | Albuquerque |
| Housing | 124.5% | 88.0% |
| Food & Groceries | 98.4% | 96.0% |
| Health | 95.1% | 81.1% |
| Utilities | 92.4% | 97.2% |
| Transportation | % | 89.4% |
Data is 100 = US National Average
>100 means more expensive than the national average
<100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing Cost
Housing expenses in Colorado Springs are 41.5% higher than in Albuquerque. The median home price in ABQ is only $332,426, while Colorado Springs’ median home price is $341,101.
Moreover, the monthly median rent in ABQ is $1,041, which is lower compared to Colorado Springs’ $1,069.
Food & Groceries
Food and grocery prices in Colorado Springs are higher than in Albuquerque. One example is a bunch of bananas in Albuquerque, which is only $3.19, compared to $3.26 in Colorado Springs.
Health
Healthcare costs in Colorado Springs are 17.3% more than in ABQ. In Colorado Springs, RX drugs may cost $450.26, whereas it only costs $433.50 in Albuquerque.
Utilities
The utility costs in Colorado are cheaper than in Albuquerque. Compared to Colorado Springs, a monthly energy bill can cost only you $123.57. In ABQ, the monthly energy bill can cost $142.85.
Transportation
A standard tariff in riding a taxi costs around $3.35 in Colorado Springs. Meanwhile, it can only cost you $2.50 in ABQ.
Is Albuquerque bigger than Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs is more extensive than Albuquerque in land area and economic standing. However, Albuquerque has a denser population than Colorado Springs.
Albuquerque has a land area of 188.9 mi² with a population of 942,000 as of 2022. Meanwhile, Colorado Springs has 195.8 mi² and, as of 2022, has a less dense population of 685,000.
In 2022, ABQ has a 1.4% increase in population from 2021. At the same time, Colorado Springs has a 1.18% population increase.
Besides land area and population, Colorado Springs has a more booming economy that helps residents land jobs, unlike Albuquerque. Moreover, Colorado Springs has more job opportunities for its residents and is full of thriving local small businesses.
Therefore, Colorado Springs is more prominent and way better than ABQ.
Is Colorado Springs safer than Albuquerque?
Colorado Springs has a higher safety scale of 60.33 compared to Albuquerque’s 29.34. Colorado Springs’ safety scale is twice that of ABQ’s. Hence, Colorado Springs is safer than Albuquerque.
Both nationally and statewide, Albuquerque has higher crime rates than other Dense Urban Areas. Albuquerque’s crime rate is greater than 99% of New Mexico’s other cities, which is alarming.
The crime in Albuquerque has been increasing in the past three years. Albuquerque has a crime index of 70.66, while Colorado Springs only has 39.67.
In terms of safety scale, Colorado Springs’ safety scale is twice that of ABQ’s. Colorado Springs has a safety scale of 60.33, whereas ABQ only has 29.34.
In Colorado Springs, you only have a one in 180 chance of being a victim of a violent crime. Theft and burglary are more likely, with a one in 30 probability of occurring.
On the other hand, ABQ is among the most dangerous cities in the United States. Meanwhile, Colorado Springs is among the safest cities in the country.
Hence, living in Colorado Springs is safer than in Albuquerque.
Is Colorado Springs hotter than Albuquerque?
Colorado Springs’ annual average high temperature is above 84°F. Meanwhile, Albuquerque has a higher average yearly high temperature of 93°F. Albuquerque is, thus, hotter than Colorado Springs.
The weather in Colorado Springs is pleasant and tolerable no matter what time of year it is. Cool-weather is still conceivable in the spring and summer, with lows of 50°F-60°F being usual.
In Colorado Springs, July is the warmest month, yet temperatures seldom reach 84°F. Moreover, the temperature ranges typically from 20°F to 84°F throughout the year, with temperatures rarely falling below 4°F or rising over 92°F.
Meanwhile, temperatures in Albuquerque typically vary from 27°F to 93°F throughout the year, with temperatures seldom dropping below 18°F or surpassing 99°F.
Therefore, it is hotter in Albuquerque than in Colorado Springs.
Is Albuquerque better than Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs is way better than Albuquerque. Colorado Springs boasts a booming economy, low crime rates, and a top-notch school system. In contrast, Albuquerque has cheaper living and housing expenses but is among the most dangerous cities in the USA.
Both ABQ and Colorado have good air quality. These cities have lesser air pollution than other cities in the nation. However, considering different aspects, one is way better than the other.
Albuquerque provides a cheaper cost of living, tolerable traffic, and preserved culture. However, Albuquerque’s safety and crime are a big letdown.
On the other hand, Colorado Springs is among the safest cities in the US. In addition, the city ranked 6th among the best cities as well.
Moreover, the economy of Colorado Springs is rapidly growing year by year. The town also boasts a top-notch education system, higher wages, and less air pollution.
Albuquerque is the city for you if you are uncomfortable with higher living expenses and traffic issues. However, moving to Colorado is better if you compare the advantages to ABQ’s.
Albuquerque versus Colorado Springs – Where are you moving to? Let me know your thoughts.