Albuquerque receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Chicago
Albuquerque
Opportunity
36 · Bottom 11%
vs36 · Bottom 11%
Growth
23 · Bottom 9%
vs45 · Bottom 41%
Climate
63 · Bottom 26%
vs71 · Top 47%
Physical resilience
69 · Top 36%
vs69 · Top 37%
Housing affordability
76 · Top 49%
vs81 · Top 41%
Access
94 · Bottom 47%
vs97 · Top 36%
Economic stability
52 · Bottom 32%
vs53 · Bottom 33%
Measured values
| Metric | Chicago | Albuquerque | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,711,226 | 562,218 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $77,902 | $68,317 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $50,086 | $40,469 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 11,904/sq mi | 3,002/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $334,100 | $291,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,440 | $1,145 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 46.0% | 61.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -3.1% | -3.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 44.3% | 39.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 16.8% | 15.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 2,531 | 1,524 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.9 | 2.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -52.1% | 17.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 91°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 26°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 8.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 15 mi | 5 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 35.9 min | 23.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.8 | 38.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Chicago
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Albuquerque
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Chicago
59
Your Score
56
Area Score
Albuquerque
65
Your Score
62
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Chicago, IL · Albuquerque, NM · How this is calculated: methodology