Albuquerque, New Mexico, known for its cultural tapestry and high desert landscapes contrasted with Northwest Harris, Texas-a hub of oil, gas, and healthcare industries. Experience how both communities compare across varied aspects, such as crime, weather, cost of living, education, economy, industries, real estate, transportation, taxes, culture, sports, geography, and healthcare.
Albuquerque has a higher crime rate compared to Northwest Harris. Violent and property crimes are above the national average, impacting the city's overall safety rankings. In contrast, Northwest Harris enjoys relatively lower crime rates. However, it is always recommended to stay vigilant and follow the law enforcement's guidelines for safety precautions.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Albuquerque is relatively lower compared to Northwest Harris. Expenses like housing, groceries, healthcare are generally affordable in Albuquerque. Northwest Harris, being part of the metropolitan Houston area, is costlier due to higher housing and transportation costs.
Income Tax
New Mexico imposes a state income tax that varies from 1.7% to 9% depending on income level. Texas, including Northwest Harris, does not have a state income tax, which can be beneficial to high-earning individuals.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Albuquerque are below the national average. Northwest Harris, on the other hand, has significantly higher property taxes, as Texas relies heavily on property taxes for revenue.
Sales Tax
New Mexico, including Albuquerque, charges a gross receipts tax instead of sales tax, averaging around 7.8% depending on the locality. Texas does not have a state income tax but has a sales tax. The combined sales tax rate for Northwest Harris is about 6.25%.
Income
Type
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Estimated median household income
$58,512
$91,482
Estimated per capita income
$35,738
$43,231
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
93.6
102.4
If you make $50,000 in Albuquerque, you will have to make $54,701 in Northwest Harris to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Albuquerque's geography, defined by the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande, provides diverse outdoor activities. Northwest Harris is flat coastal plain with a proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and Houston's urban attractions.
Geographical information
Type
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Land area
180.6 sq. miles
437.4 sq. miles
Population density
3,114.4 people per sq. mile
1,061.5 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Albuquerque, NM Northwest Harris, TX
Education
Albuquerque is home to numerous well-regarded schools and universities, including the University of New Mexico. Northwest Harris has excellent public, private schools, and higher education facilities, with higher average test scores than Albuquerque.
Albuquerque's economy is diverse, with healthcare, education, and retail being major contributors. The energy sector dominates Northwest Harris, being part of a region known for oil, gas, and renewable energy production. The unemployment rate in Albuquerque is marginally higher than in Northwest Harris.
Biggest Employers
The University of New Mexico and Sandia National Laboratories are the biggest employers in Albuquerque. While in Northwest Harris, as part of the Houston metropolitan area, ExxonMobil and Memorial Hermann Healthcare System are significant employers.
In Albuquerque (Bernalillo County), 55.8% voted for Democrats and 39.4% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Northwest Harris (Harris County), 49.4% voted for Democrats and 49.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
2020
61.3%
56.0%
36.7%
42.7%
2.0%
1.3%
2016
52.4%
54.0%
34.6%
41.6%
13.0%
4.4%
2012
55.8%
49.4%
39.4%
49.3%
4.9%
1.3%
2008
60.2%
50.5%
38.8%
48.9%
1.0%
0.6%
2004
51.6%
44.6%
47.4%
54.9%
0.9%
0.5%
2000
48.8%
43.0%
46.8%
54.4%
4.4%
2.6%
1996
48.3%
45.2%
43.2%
49.2%
8.5%
5.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
CATHOLIC CHURCH
26.5%
18.1%
10.7%
3.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
2.6%
14.2%
11.4%
26.8%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.7%
1.0%
1.9%
1.4%
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
0.4%
0.0%
0.2%
0.1%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.3%
1.9%
1.1%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
1.9%
1.7%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.7%
1.7%
1.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.3%
2.9%
0.5%
1.6%
Weather
The climate varies significantly between Albuquerque and Northwest Harris. Albuquerque being situated in high desert has a semi-arid climate with mild, dry winters and hot, humid summers. On the other hand, Northwest Harris has a humid-subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters.
Weather and climate
Type
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Temperature - Average
55.6°F
68.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
44.3%
80.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
46%
37%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
63%
93%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
17%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
9.4 in
48.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
19.2 in
0.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
27.8%
15%
Sunshine amount - Average
82.7%
60.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
9%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
82%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
73%
43%
Wind speed - Average
8.9 mph
8.1 mph
Average climate in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Average climate in Northwest Harris, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
2018
95
95
0.23
N/A
10.3
5.1
35.3
23.5
N/A
N/A
20.3
N/A
4.3
8.7
0.5
N/A
2017
82
94
0.24
N/A
10.4
4.7
33.5
25.2
N/A
N/A
18.4
N/A
5.7
8.5
0.4
0.5
2016
86
93
0.22
N/A
10.4
5.7
33.2
23.7
N/A
N/A
16.0
N/A
5.3
8.5
0.8
0.4
2015
84
100
0.23
N/A
11.2
6.1
30.8
23.1
N/A
N/A
16.0
N/A
6.1
9.3
0.7
0.1
2014
89
88
0.22
0.28
11.7
6.7
31.8
22.3
N/A
N/A
22.0
N/A
6.1
9.6
0.6
0.1
2013
91
104
0.22
0.29
11.8
6.6
34.1
23.7
N/A
N/A
21.8
N/A
5.7
10.3
0.8
0.1
2012
116
107
0.18
0.30
13.7
7.1
33.6
24.8
N/A
N/A
26.6
N/A
9.3
10.6
0.7
0.2
2011
130
115
0.21
0.32
13.5
6.8
34.0
27.0
N/A
N/A
28.6
N/A
9.9
11.3
0.4
0.6
2010
92
104
0.15
0.26
12.2
7.5
32.1
25.0
N/A
N/A
25.1
N/A
6.8
11.1
N/A
0.8
2009
81
114
0.16
0.27
12.5
6.8
30.4
25.1
N/A
N/A
26.2
N/A
6.9
11.0
N/A
0.9
2008
91
104
0.21
0.35
11.8
8.0
31.5
24.5
N/A
N/A
20.8
N/A
6.5
11.9
N/A
1.4
2007
112
123
0.29
0.37
13.0
9.1
31.4
23.2
N/A
N/A
19.7
N/A
6.7
13.0
N/A
1.7
2006
103
130
0.33
0.39
14.2
9.0
31.8
25.0
N/A
N/A
21.1
N/A
N/A
11.6
N/A
1.5
2005
85
132
0.32
0.42
13.9
9.7
29.7
25.3
N/A
N/A
20.0
N/A
N/A
13.3
N/A
2.6
2004
89
125
0.32
0.44
16.6
10.0
29.8
22.9
0.003
N/A
21.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.8
2003
115
144
0.37
0.62
17.6
10.8
31.9
23.5
0.004
N/A
25.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.4
2002
91
124
0.43
0.55
18.9
10.5
29.1
22.5
0.005
N/A
23.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.5
2001
81
148
0.67
0.44
17.2
12.0
29.4
22.2
N/A
N/A
20.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
2000
95
133
0.81
0.50
17.0
10.8
27.9
23.0
N/A
N/A
17.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
6.4%
179.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
802.6%
67.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
9%
32%
Transportation
Albuquerque has extensive public transportation, including buses and trains, and numerous bike trails. Northwest Harris is served by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) with buses and light rail, although many residents rely on personal vehicles.
Transport
Type
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
1
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
17
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Bicycle
0.9%
0.1%
Bus
0.8%
2.5%
Carpooled
9.6%
11.3%
Car alone
85.1%
81.5%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
2.3%
0.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Average
24.5 min
31.3 min
Real Estate
Real estate is more affordable in Albuquerque with a median home price significantly lower than in Northwest Harris. However, both cities offer various options regarding residential styles and neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods
Albuquerque has diverse neighborhoods from historic Old Town to modern Uptown. Northwest Harris offers upscale suburban districts and has seen significant growth over the years because of its proximity to Houston.
Houses and residents
Type
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
Houses
256,814
149,181
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.9
Houses occupied
243,582 (94.8%)
141,708 (95%)
Houses occupied by owners
147,964 (60.7%)
100,076 (70.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
95,618 (39.3%)
41,632 (29.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$893.82
$1,182
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$171,149
$300,799
Estimated median house or condo value
$251,500
$307,883
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.9
3.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
7.5
Renting percentage
39.7%
28.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,421.7
341.1
Household income disparities
45.9%
38.3%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,631 (1.6%)
15,158 (16.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,560 (3.6%)
105 (0.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
97,744 (98.4%)
76,541 (83.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
309 (0.3%)
3,826 (4.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
6,864 (6.9%)
4,244 (4.6%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.1%
0.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
14,060
12,608
State government workers
20,531
7,312
Unpaid family workers
359
552
Industries and Occupations
Major industries in Albuquerque include healthcare, retail, and education with various occupations available therein. Northwest Harris's dominant industries are energy, healthcare, and engineering due to the proximity to the Houston area.
Albuquerque offers notable healthcare facilities like the University of New Mexico Hospital. Northwest Harris, being part of the Houston metropolitan area, benefits from world-class medical facilities including the Texas Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Albuquerque boasts of well-maintained roads, airports, and internet access, while additional resources go towards maintaining the city's public spaces, landmarks, and desert parks. Northwest Harris benefits from being part of the larger Houston area with well-developed transportation, medical, and utility infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Type
Albuquerque
Northwest Harris
TV stations
18
27
Culture and Food
Albuquerque is renowned for its mix of Native American, Hispanic, and Western cultures, reflecting in its art, festivals, and food. Northwest Harris has a diverse cuisine influenced by Southern, Mexican, and Asian cultures, and offers a variety of dining and entertainment options.
Sports Teams
Albuquerque has minor league teams in baseball (Isotopes) and soccer (New Mexico United). Northwest Harris residents support major professional teams from nearby Houston, including the Astros (MLB), Texans (NFL), and Rockets (NBA).
Albuquerque, NM
Northwest Harris, TX
Albuquerque, NM and 
Northwest Harris, TX : 732.7 miles
