Manhattan, a fast-paced borough of New York City, is distinctively different from the more laid-back Albuquerque, New Mexico. These differences span across factors such as crime and safety, weather, education, cost of living, the state of the work and economy, infrastructure, and health care, among others. This analysis provides an in-depth comparative study concerning these areas to guide those looking to relocate or tourists considering a visit.
Safety can be a significant cause for concern when moving or traveling. Manhattan, being a major city globally, sees its share of crime but generally is considered safe, especially in the more affluent areas. However, petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur, particularly in crowded tourist areas. Albuquerque, on the contrary, has a considerably higher crime rate than the national average, especially for property crime, although efforts are ongoing to improve the safety of the city.
Cost of Living
Manhattan is among the most expensive places to live in the US, with high prices for food, housing, and transportation. In comparison, Albuquerque offers a much lower cost of living, with affordable housing options and low day-to-day expenses.
Income Tax
New York City has an income tax that ranges from 3.078% to 3.876%. New Mexico's state income tax ranges from 1.7% to 4.9%, which applies to Albuquerque too.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Manhattan are high, reflecting the high property values. In contrast, Albuquerque has much lower property tax rates, which contributes to its affordability.
Sales Tax
In Manhattan, the sales tax rate is 8.875%, combining the New York state sales tax of 4% and the city's 4.5%. Albuquerque, on the other hand, has a higher sales tax rate of 7.875%.
Income
Type
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Estimated median household income
$84,435
$58,512
Estimated per capita income
$76,589
$35,738
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
185.3
93.6
If you make $50,000 in Albuquerque, you will have to make $98,985 in Manhattan to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Manhattan is situated on an island and defined by its skyline. Albuquerque is set in the high desert and is enveloped by the Sandia Mountains, ensuring it breathtaking natural beauty.
Geographical information
Type
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Land area
23 sq. miles
180.6 sq. miles
Population density
70,629 people per sq. mile
3,114.4 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Manhattan, NY Albuquerque, NM
Education
Both Manhattan and Albuquerque offer quality education. Manhattan is home to Ivy League university Columbia and NYU, along with highly-rated public and private schools. Albuquerque has the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College and some well-regarded public schools.
Manhattan leads, with the economy majorly driven by financial services, media, technology, and fashion. The mean income in Manhattan is also higher than in Albuquerque. The economy of Albuquerque is diverse, with sectors like military and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, health care, and tourism contributing significantly.
Biggest Employers
In Manhattan, some of the largest employers are JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Verizon. Albuquerque's largest employers include Sandia National Laboratories, University of New Mexico, and the Kirtland Air Force Base.
In Manhattan (New York County), 83.9% voted for Democrats and 14.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Albuquerque (Bernalillo County), 55.8% voted for Democrats and 39.4% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Manhattan
Albuquerque
2020
86.5%
61.3%
12.2%
36.7%
1.2%
2.0%
2016
86.7%
52.4%
9.7%
34.6%
3.6%
13.0%
2012
83.9%
55.8%
14.9%
39.4%
1.2%
4.9%
2008
86.1%
60.2%
13.5%
38.8%
0.3%
1.0%
2004
82.3%
51.6%
16.8%
47.4%
0.9%
0.9%
2000
80.0%
48.8%
14.5%
46.8%
5.5%
4.4%
1996
80.0%
48.3%
13.8%
43.2%
6.3%
8.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Manhattan
Albuquerque
CATHOLIC CHURCH
20.4%
26.5%
12.6%
10.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.7%
0.3%
2.4%
0.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.7%
0.7%
5.3%
1.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.6%
0.1%
4.7%
0.5%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.0%
1.2%
0.0%
PATRIAR PARISHE RUSSIAN ORTHODO CHURCH USA
0.4%
0.0%
0.2%
0.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.4%
2.0%
1.9%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.4%
2.4%
1.9%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
2.6%
2.9%
11.4%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.0%
0.3%
0.6%
1.7%
Weather
Weather conditions are quite varied. Manhattan experiences the four seasons with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Fall and spring are generally pleasant. Albuquerque's weather is semi-arid with mild winters and hot summers. The city also boasts of over 280 sunny days per year making it an ideal place for outdoor activities.
Weather and climate
Type
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Temperature - Average
54.6°F
55.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.4%
44.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
30%
46%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
77%
63%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
47%
17%
Precipitation - Yearly average
49.6 in
9.4 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
57.4 in
19.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.8%
27.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
82.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
9%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
82%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
73%
Wind speed - Average
6.7 mph
8.9 mph
Average climate in Manhattan, New York
Average climate in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Manhattan
Albuquerque
2018
94
95
0.29
0.23
17.3
10.3
23.9
35.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
20.3
7.9
4.3
0.5
0.5
2017
97
82
0.16
0.24
17.4
10.4
24.0
33.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
18.4
7.7
5.7
0.4
0.4
2016
94
86
0.28
0.22
18.1
10.4
24.2
33.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.0
7.7
5.3
0.6
0.8
2015
100
84
0.36
0.23
18.9
11.2
23.0
30.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.0
8.6
6.1
1.0
0.7
2014
95
89
0.40
0.22
19.1
11.7
22.3
31.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.0
8.3
6.1
1.1
0.6
2013
97
91
0.43
0.22
19.5
11.8
22.6
34.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
21.8
9.0
5.7
1.1
0.8
2012
99
116
0.46
0.18
18.6
13.7
23.4
33.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.6
9.3
9.3
1.7
0.7
2011
108
130
0.46
0.21
20.7
13.5
22.2
34.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
28.6
10.9
9.9
2.7
0.4
2010
113
92
0.45
0.15
19.3
12.2
23.3
32.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
25.1
10.4
6.8
2.7
N/A
2009
104
81
0.51
0.16
21.9
12.5
18.8
30.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.2
10.7
6.9
3.8
N/A
2008
110
91
0.49
0.21
23.0
11.8
19.8
31.5
0.013
N/A
N/A
20.8
12.3
6.5
4.6
N/A
2007
121
112
0.56
0.29
24.4
13.0
19.4
31.4
0.016
N/A
N/A
19.7
13.1
6.7
5.5
N/A
2006
116
103
0.64
0.33
24.6
14.2
18.9
31.8
0.018
N/A
N/A
21.1
12.9
N/A
6.5
N/A
2005
112
85
0.77
0.32
26.7
13.9
18.4
29.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
20.0
N/A
N/A
8.2
N/A
2004
108
89
0.77
0.32
26.7
16.6
17.3
29.8
0.030
0.003
N/A
21.5
N/A
N/A
8.0
N/A
2003
107
115
0.83
0.37
27.8
17.6
17.5
31.9
0.024
0.004
26.9
25.1
N/A
N/A
8.2
N/A
2002
122
91
0.78
0.43
27.9
18.9
18.7
29.1
0.008
0.005
25.9
23.1
N/A
N/A
7.3
N/A
2001
123
81
0.79
0.67
29.4
17.2
19.4
29.4
0.020
N/A
25.0
20.9
N/A
N/A
8.7
N/A
2000
115
95
0.90
0.81
30.2
17.0
15.0
27.9
0.022
N/A
22.2
17.7
N/A
N/A
8.4
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
59.1%
6.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31.1%
802.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
9%
Transportation
Manhattan has an extensive public transportation system, which includes the subway, buses, and taxis. Albuquerque offers public transit services with buses, but many locals prefer using personal vehicles as the city is spread out.
Transport
Type
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Amtrak stations
0
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
2
1
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
17
Means of transportation to work
Type
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Bicycle
0.9%
0.9%
Bus
10.1%
0.8%
Carpooled
3.4%
9.6%
Car alone
7.6%
85.1%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.2%
Railroad
1.1%
0%
Streetcar
0.1%
0%
Subway
43.6%
0%
Taxicab
4.7%
0%
Walked
21.9%
2.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Average
30.3 min
24.5 min
Real Estate
The real estate market is vastly different in both cities. Manhattan real estate is notoriously high-priced, even for rentals. Albuquerque's real estate, on the other hand, offers more affordable housing options, both for renting and buying.
Neighborhoods
Manhattan is known for its diverse, vibrant neighborhoods, each with a distinct character - from the hip East Village to upscale Upper East Side. Albuquerque's neighborhoods range from the historic Old Town, the Downtown area filled with art-deco buildings, to the upscale Nob Hill.
Houses and residents
Type
Manhattan
Albuquerque
Houses
798,144
256,814
Average household size (people)
2
2.4
Houses occupied
738,644 (92.5%)
243,582 (94.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
148,695 (20.1%)
147,964 (60.7%)
Houses occupied by renters
589,949 (79.9%)
95,618 (39.3%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,690
$893.82
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$3,393,315
$171,149
Estimated median house or condo value
$940,900
$251,500
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
4
6.2
Renting percentage
77.2%
39.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
34,757
1,421.7
Household income disparities
47.8%
45.9%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,104 (40.3%)
1,631 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
13 (0.5%)
3,560 (3.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
1,636 (59.7%)
97,744 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
140 (5.1%)
309 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
140 (5.1%)
6,864 (6.9%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2%
1.1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
69,517
14,060
State government workers
15,544
20,531
Unpaid family workers
1,861
359
Industries and Occupations
In Manhattan, the most dominant sectors include finance, professional and business services, media, and technology. Conversely, Albuquerque's economy is diversified with education, health care, retail, and technology sectors providing numerous employment opportunities.
Manhattan offers excellent healthcare services with globally renowned medical institutions like Mount Sinai and NYU Langone. Albuquerque also has excellent healthcare facilities led by providers like Presbyterian and University of New Mexico Hospitals.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Manhattan
Albuquerque
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Manhattan is known for its striking skyscrapers, modern apartments, and historic townhouses. Its infrastructure is well-developed, even though it grapples with issues like congestion. Conversely, Albuquerque's infrastructure is less dense, with adobe houses and modern downtown structures.
Infrastructure
Type
Manhattan
Albuquerque
TV stations
30
18
Culture and Food
Manhattan boasts a rich cultural scene with countless museums, theaters, and restaurants offering global cuisines. In Albuquerque, Southwest culture reigns with Native American and Hispanic influences evident in local food, art, and festivals.
Sports Teams
Manhattan sports enthusiasts can easily catch a game as the city hosts teams like the New York Knicks, Yankees, and Jets. Albuquerque doesn't have major professional sports teams but is home to the Albuquerque Isotopes(a Minor League Baseball team) and New Mexico United(a soccer team in the USL Championship).
Manhattan, NY
Albuquerque, NM
Manhattan, NY and 
Albuquerque, NM : 1,809.7 miles
