Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albuquerque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% higher compared to Burlington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burlington's average rent is
48% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Burlington | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,742 | $1,180 | +48% |
| Groceries | $373 | $400 | -7% |
| Utilities | $115 | $220 | -48% |
| Transport | $106 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $55 | $150 | -63% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $1,950 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 31% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Burlington is estimated at
$61,000 vs $47,196 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Burlington | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,855 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $61,000 | $47,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,301 idx | 84,615 idx |
| Household Income | $80,300 | $68,317 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Burlington | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 44.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albuquerque has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Burlington.
Burlington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Burlington | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 25.60 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Burlington.
From a growth perspective, Burlington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Burlington | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,484 | 555,119 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | % |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
Burlington consistently ranks among the top livable cities in Canada, recognized for its high quality of life.
The city and the broader Halton Region maintain low crime rates, with violent crime decreasing for the third consecutive year in 2025.
Burlington offers a diverse and thriving economy with job growth in sectors like Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, and Biomedical & Life Sciences.
Its strategic location provides excellent access to major job markets and cultural centers in Toronto and Hamilton, with convenient transit options.
The city boasts significant natural beauty, including the Lake Ontario waterfront and the Niagara Escarpment, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Burlington is significantly higher than the national average, with a cost of living index of 138.
Housing costs are particularly high, with average rents and property prices exceeding national and provincial averages.
Despite overall low regional crime, Burlington's specific crime rate was the highest in the Halton Region in 2025, particularly for property crimes.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability outside of downtown areas.
Some residents note a limited nightlife, with many establishments closing by 10 PM on weekdays.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is approximately 9.2% lower than the national average, making it an affordable city.
Albuquerque boasts a mild, dry climate with around 310 days of sunshine annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Public transportation (ABQ RIDE) operates on a permanent Zero Fares program, offering free bus services since January 2022.
The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene, including numerous museums and the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are about 12% cheaper than the typical U.S. city, contributing to overall affordability.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque is largely a car-dependent city, with a walkability score of 43, making many errands difficult without a vehicle.
Despite some decreases in violent crime, the overall crime rate in Albuquerque increased as of August 2024, and burglaries rose by 11% in 2024.
The city's population is currently experiencing a slight decline, with an annual decrease of -0.26% in 2026.
The average annual job growth rate for the Albuquerque MSA was modest at 0.72% in 2024.
Traffic congestion levels average 25.6% in 2025, leading to increased travel times.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Burlington
#2Ontario, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,742
Avg Salary
$52,855
Cost Index
138
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
6.60%
Livability
81
Business
70
Albuquerque
#36New Mexico, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,180
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
70
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Burlington and Albuquerque.
Open Cost Calculator