Washington, DC is best to settle in compared to Albuquerque. The nation’s capital has a booming job opportunity, artistically and historically inclined place, and has a better transportation system. Also, the city is home to most millennials, making it more active and enticing.
Washington, District of Columbia is undeniably a better place to live in when compared to Albuquerque. The metropolis has a prosperous artistic and historical site, and there are also free museums to have an educational tour.
The booming job opportunities in the city make it more than just a business district for everyone. Thus, the place is evolving to accommodate more individuals willing to settle in the capital of America.
With a lot more to offer, undeniably, Washington, DC is one of the places that you will surely want to settle. However, Albuquerque is ideal for its very affordable cost of living and scenic landscape, but the job market is not promising enough.
There is still more to discover for both places, and comparing it will do the trick.
List of Contents
What Are the Pros and Cons of Albuquerque Versus Washington?
Albuquerque is a fascinating place for its low cost of living, picturesque landscape, and diverse culture, but the job market is not promising enough. Washington, DC offers better job prospects, rich history, and efficient public transit; however, the increased cost of living makes it unfavorable.
Here are the significant edges and drawbacks of living in Albuquerque and Living in Washington, DC.
Living in Albuquerque
Pros
- Picturesque Landscape
- Favorable Cost of Living
- Yearly Events and Fun Activities
- Breaking Bad TV Series Shoots in Albuquerque
Albuquerque has a perfect panoramic view of its more
than 11,000 miles city, especially during nighttime. You can fully appreciate the place if you decide to hike in the mountains, and you can be creative in having outdoor activities.
The city has many open spaces, and there are a variety of fun activities that you can do. You will surely enjoy stargazing, especially in the city’s open parks. The place preserves its environmental culture, where gardens cover almost a quarter of the total area.
Because of this, less pollution will occur, and you cannot directly experience the sun’s scorching heat because of the abundance of trees around the metropolis.
Albuquerque has one of the most favorable costs of living index in the whole cities of America. The median living expenses in this city are often below the national average.
Albuquerque is ranked 43rd out of 388 metropolitan areas in the United States. The median family income in Albuquerque is mildly more than $51,000, and the median home value is more than $207,000, indicating that ABQ has a high level of livability.
No one would like to miss out on the yearly International Balloon Fiesta during October in Albuquerque. There are hundreds of air balloons in the sky where everyone will get too excited not to watch. Families, especially kids, will melt their hearts at this moment.
Every September, Albuquerque is also home to the New Mexico State Fair. Everyone can indulge in delicious foods from a range of food trucks serving a variety of cuisines. You will get hooked to a diverse mix of cultures delivered directly to your mouth.
The state fair emphasizes fresh produce and special activities such as horseback riding. Everyone will have fun doing different events for families.
If you are a massive fanatic of AMC’s Breaking Bad tv series, then head over to Albuquerque. The production shot the famous scenes on the grounds of the place. The series is filmed and picked in this city, so there are plenty of actual locations to visit and tour.
Did you know that Marvel’s Avengers was filmed in Albuquerque as well? It is safe to say that ABQ is a fantastic location for international film productions.
Cons:
- Job Market is Struggling
- Crime Rate is Significantly High
The job opportunities in Albuquerque are not that promising. Although the city has been developing in recent years, its job market still cannot keep up with most towns in New Mexico and even in the United States.
Albuquerque has a higher unemployment rate of 4.3%, and the reports rated its job market with 6.0 over 10.0. This median rate indicates that it is less healthy than comparably sized metropolitan areas.
Based on the FBI’s data, the crime rate in Albuquerque exceeds the national average. There were 111 violent crimes per 10,000 people in Albuquerque. Places such as Albuquerque proper, Pajarito Mesa, and Bernalillo have the highest crime rates in the metropolis.
Albuquerque is now one of the top ten most violent cities in the United States. Over the last thirty years, the yearly homicide count in Albuquerque has averaged around 45 homicides.
Living In Washington, DC
Pros
- Washington Is Rich in Historical and Cultural Sites
- Washington is a Millennial City
- Good Public Transportation
- The City is Diverse
- Stable Job Market
Washington, DC, is home to the famous White House. On top of there, there are numerous museums and art exhibits. Over 160 landmarks and commemorations in the city and over 70 art galleries and museums. In terms of historical facts and art history, there is no scarcity of educational activities when roaming in the area.
Washington is ranked third in the United States as one of the best millennial cities. The location provides a more significant job market and numerous fun and free events for emerging adults.
Millennials make up nearly 23% of the city’s population. As a result, the city is expanding, and new jobs are available to accommodate everyone. There is no shortage in coffee shops and cafés where millennial people spend most of their free time.
The city of Washington is one of the top metropolises in the United States. Thus, many people are going around the area for any business. To cater to everyone, the government made public transportation more accessible.
Every day, nearly 800,000 people use public transportation. In terms of numbers, that’s a lot. It places Washington in the same league as New York as one of the bustling metro systems.
There are numerous bus services, subway stations, and railroads to get you where you need to go in the shortest amount of time.
There is a good diversity of ethnicity in Washington, DC. The place is also known as an LGBT-friendly place all over America.
Washington has a population that is 49% black, 44 % white, 4% Hispanic, and 3% Asian. The culture is diversified enough that you can experience a portion of every ethnicity’s way of life.
More than 40% of government employees live in Washington, DC. As the nation’s capital, the city has many job opportunities, particularly in the current administration.
The job demand in the metropolis site is highly competitive. The average household income in Washington is around $85,000.
Cons
- High Cost of Living
- Unfavorable Weather
- Poor Public Schools
- Traffic is Worst
The expense of living in Washington, DC, is entirely elevated. The average monthly rent is $2,100, and the home value is as low as $600,000. Most people who live in the city must rent an apartment because purchasing a home is not an option.
If you opt to relocate to Washington, make sure you have a stable job to maintain a better lifestyle. The cost-of-living expenses are above the national average. The housing and rental fees even got doubled over time.
Washington can experience hotter summers and freezing winters. For two weeks in the summer, temperatures can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Bugs and other allergies may accompany this weather.
If you want to relocate to Washington, DC, you should consider these options.
Almost 68.5% of public-school students only graduate in Washington, DC. The place has one of the lowest graduation rates for public schools. If you want to have a better state of learning, then you might want to reconsider this place for your children’s education.
Washington, DC ranks fifth as the city with the worst traffic in the country. On average, it takes 124 hours a year of commuting before you can go to your workplace.
If you want to lessen the time it takes you to go to your place of work, you need to live within the city limits. Tourist season also contributes to the highly congested Washington, DC highway. Better find some accessible routes as much as possible to avoid getting stuck for hours.
Albuquerque Or Washington – Which Is More Expensive?
Washington is way too expensive when compared to Albuquerque. The nation’s capital has an increased living expense and is 67.0 % more costly than Albuquerque, where housing costs are 173.6 percent higher. Health-care costs in Washington, DC, is 9.2% higher than ABQ.
It is more likely to be expensive living in Washington than it is to live in Albuquerque. The city has a high percentage index in every aspect of its living costs.
Comparison Table of Living in Albuquerque, New Mexico vs. Washington, District of Columbia
| Living Expenses | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Washington, District of Columbia |
| Housing and Rent | 88% | 240.8% |
| Utilities | 97.2% | 106% |
| Food And Groceries | 96% | 114.1% |
| Transportation | 89.4% | 135.3% |
| Health | 81.1% | 88.6% |
| Miscellaneous | 97.1% | 105.7% |
Based on the Data of which 100 = US National Average
>100 means more expensive
<100 means cheaper than the US average
Housing and Rent Costs
Housing and Rental fees cost as much as twice as expensive in Washington as in Albuquerque. The city even doubled the national average in cost. The median price of a house in the town costs $556,700 to $675,000. That is twice as much as Albuquerque’s $203,500.
The average rental cost in Washington cost around $2,100. Even a home-bedroom apartment with three rooms can cost as much as $2,632. Thus, many people opt to rent out spaces rather than purchase a city house.
Utility Costs
Utility expenses in Washington cost more, and it has a percentage of 106%, even surpassing the national average. You will pay more to this place than any other. Monthly essential utility costs have a cumulative amount of $157.70, which covers fuel costs, water rates, and power bills.
Albuquerque can have an average utility bill per month for as low as $140.00. The average internet cost in Washington is $66.00, while ABQ has $80.00.
Food and Groceries Costs
Essential goods and groceries have a higher cost in Washington. The 114.1% is also more than the national average. Basic food in the city’s business district can cost you $15 and combo meals for $9.
A full meal at a high-end restaurant is $40, not including tips and even drinks. Opposite to this, you can have full-day food in Albuquerque for just $33.
Transportation Costs
Even transportation costs in Washington, DC also charge just as a lot. The average price for a bus ride is $2.25 to $6.00. A monthly ticket for public transportation can also cost you around $138 in the nation’s capital city.
While in ABQ, public transportation supports zero-fare in every ride for one year. The lowest bus fare cost is one dollar per trip.
Health Care Costs
Washington, DC, is a little costly for its health care system. There are over 410 physicians to every 100,000 in Washington. It does not exceed the national average, but the percentage is high as 88.6%.
The average number of physicians exceeds the national average of only 210 per 100,000 people.
Taxes
Washington, DC’s sales tax is 6%. Income taxes in the city ranges from 4% to 10%, depending on the citizen’s declared salary, while property tax is 0.56%. Albuquerque has a centralized rate of 7.7875 %. The total revenues of local and state government tax rates are 5%.
Is Albuquerque Safer Than Washington?
Washington, DC is safer than Albuquerque. The crime index of the nation’s capital is only 57.64% compared to Albuquerque’s 70.05%. Property crime in ABQ is rampant, with an indexed percentage of 85.3% compared to Washington’s 63.9%.
Washington has a safety index of 42.36% based on statistical reports. In Washington, you have a one-in-105 possibility of being the victim of a crime such as sexual assault, burglary, attack, or even killing. In contrast, the average crime committed in ABQ is 45 per year.
Albuquerque has had 83 fatalities, with many of them concentrated in a few neighborhoods. The Albuquerque metropolitan area’s crime rate is 71.84 % per 1,000 residents during a typical year.
Is Albuquerque Bigger Than Washington?
The city of Albuquerque is larger than the city of Washington. Albuquerque has a land area of 187.2 square miles, while Washington has 61 square miles. ABQ’s total living room is also more extensive than that of Washington.
Albuquerque is significant in size compared to Washington. The city has a higher elevation of 5,312 ft from the ground. In the bigger picture, the city has a panoramic view of almost 11,000 miles of its place when you go to the peak of its nearby mountain.
However, population-wise, Washington exceeds ABQ and even with its population density. Washington has a population of 712,816, while Albuquerque has only 562,540. Its density is also 11,659.5 more than the latter’s 3,004.
Is Albuquerque Better Than Washington?
Washington, DC is superior to Albuquerque. Living in the nation’s capital will provide you with more job opportunities, a fast-growing urban district, and a better location where the economic system is increasing rapidly.
Washington, DC will not be named America’s capital city for nothing. The place is better known to be one of the world’s booming business districts with many job opportunities. Not only that, but the area also offers an excellent deal to almost anything.
Even though the cost of living in this city is higher than in most others, the benefits will help persuade you. Their public transportation system is among the best globally, not just in America.
The high-paying job and distinctively pleasant suburbs will make it a better place to work. There are many educational locations there, such as museums and historical landmarks. There are also numerous restaurants, shopping malls, and live entertainment venues.
Albuquerque, New Mexico versus Washington, District of Columbia – Where do you consider moving? Let me know your thoughts below.
