San Jose, California and Albuquerque, New Mexico are two distinct cities with their own unique appeal. Whether you're considering a vacation or looking to relocate, each city offers a different experience. San Jose, situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, offers burgeoning tech industry prospects and typically Mediterranean weather. Meanwhile, Albuquerque, with its rich Native American and Spanish influences, offers turquoise skies and a mix of traditional and modern attractions.
Distance between
San Jose, CA and
Albuquerque, NM : 863.2 miles
San Jose's population is larger by 75%. Its population has grown by 88,546 people (9.9%) since 2000. The population of Albuquerque has grown by 113,992 people (25.4%) during that time.
San Jose has lower crime rates than the national average, in part due to the city's heavy investment in public safety resources. Despite having some areas known for higher crime rates, the overall feeling of safety is typically high. In contrast, Albuquerque has a higher crime rate than the national average, with property crimes being particularly high. However, areas of the city like the Northeast Heights or the far Northwest are considered safer neighborhoods.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,847 registered sex offenders living in San Jose and 886 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in San Jose is 555 to 1; the ratio in Albuquerque is 631 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents in San Jose is near to than in Albuquerque.
Cost of Living
San Jose, being a hub of the Silicon Valley, has a notably high cost of living. Housing is the major factor contributing to the high cost, but transportation and utilities are also expensive compared to the national average. Albuquerque, on the other hand, is significantly cheaper. Its cost of living is below the national average, with housing being particularly affordable.
Income Tax
While California has some of the highest state income taxes in the U.S. (up to 13.3% on income over $1million), New Mexico's tax brackets are much more affordable with a top rate of 4.9% on income over $16,000.
Property Tax
San Jose has a 1% property tax rate, which can seem high given the elevated property values there. Albuquerque's property tax rate is lower at 0.78%, and the cost of properties is far less.
Sales Tax
California has one of the highest state-level sales tax rates in the country at 7.25%, and San Jose levies an additional 1.25% for a total of 8.5%. Albuquerque has a lower total sales tax rate at 7.875%, with 5.125% coming from the state.
Income
Type
San Jose
Albuquerque
Estimated median household income
$126,377
$58,512
Estimated per capita income
$57,357
$35,738
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
127.4
93.6
If you make $50,000 in Albuquerque, you will have to make $68,056 in San Jose to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Jose is located in the Santa Clara Valley, surrounded by rolling hills and close to the Pacific Ocean. Albuquerque, situated in the high desert, offers a mountainous landscape with the Sandia Mountains to the east and the Rio Grande flowing through the city.
San Jose benefits from being in close proximity to notable institutions such as Stanford University and University of California Berkeley. The city itself houses the well-regarded San Jose State University. Albuquerque's primary institutions of higher learning are the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College. The Albuquerque Public Schools district is the largest in the state and offers a diverse range of academic programs.
San Jose’s economy is primarily driven by the high-tech industry, being home to many major tech companies. The city offers ample job opportunities with high salaries in sectors such as IT, engineering, and research. Albuquerque's economy, however, is more diversified, with sectors including healthcare, education, and retail trade playing significant roles. The city has a lower average salary compared to national norms.
Biggest Employers
In San Jose, some of the biggest employers include Cisco Systems, eBay, and Adobe Systems, along with several renowned healthcare facilities. In Albuquerque, major employers include the University of New Mexico, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Presbyterian Healthcare Services.
There were 299 building permits issued in San Jose in 2012 (216 more than in 2011) compared to 773 building permits issued in Albuquerque in 2012 (19 more than in 2011).
In San Jose (Santa Clara County), 70.0% voted for Democrats and 27.1% 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
San Jose
Albuquerque
San Jose
Albuquerque
San Jose
Albuquerque
2020
72.7%
61.3%
25.2%
36.7%
2.1%
2.0%
2016
72.7%
52.4%
20.6%
34.6%
6.7%
13.0%
2012
70.0%
55.8%
27.1%
39.4%
2.9%
4.9%
2008
69.6%
60.2%
28.6%
38.8%
1.8%
1.0%
2004
64.3%
51.6%
34.8%
47.4%
0.9%
0.9%
2000
60.7%
48.8%
34.4%
46.8%
4.9%
4.4%
1996
56.9%
48.3%
32.2%
43.2%
11.0%
8.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Jose
Albuquerque
San Jose
Albuquerque
CATHOLIC CHURCH
25.1%
26.5%
6.0%
10.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.1%
0.3%
1.8%
0.5%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.9%
2.6%
7.7%
11.4%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.5%
0.7%
2.3%
1.9%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
2.6%
1.9%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.4%
2.3%
1.9%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.2%
0.3%
1.4%
1.7%
Weather
San Jose enjoys a Mediterranean-type climate with dry, warm summers and mild, wet winters. The city can be hot in the summer but rarely experiences extreme heat or cold. Albuquerque has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters, receiving more sunshine per year than most U.S. cities. It rarely experiences heavy rain, but snowfall can be observed in winter, especially in the nearby Sandia Mountains.
Weather and climate
Type
San Jose
Albuquerque
Temperature - Average
60.9°F
55.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
77.3%
44.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
35.5%
46%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
63%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
51.6%
17%
Precipitation - Yearly average
16.1 in
9.4 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
19.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
27.4%
27.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
73.8%
82.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
23%
9%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
77.4%
82%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54.4%
73%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
8.9 mph
Average climate in San Jose, California
Average climate in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Jose
Albuquerque
San Jose
Albuquerque
San Jose
Albuquerque
San Jose
Albuquerque
San Jose
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
San Jose
Albuquerque
San Jose
Albuquerque
2018
94
95
0.49
0.23
14.5
10.3
22.2
35.3
0.006
N/A
20.3
N/A
12.5
4.3
0.2
0.5
2017
91
82
0.50
0.24
14.6
10.4
23.5
33.5
0.004
N/A
18.4
N/A
10.2
5.7
0.2
0.4
2016
69
86
0.47
0.22
13.7
10.4
22.4
33.2
0.003
N/A
16.0
N/A
8.8
5.3
0.2
0.8
2015
84
84
0.52
0.23
15.4
11.2
22.3
30.8
0.004
N/A
16.0
N/A
9.2
6.1
0.3
0.7
2014
83
89
0.40
0.22
13.9
11.7
21.5
31.8
0.004
N/A
22.0
N/A
8.2
6.1
0.2
0.6
2013
90
91
0.41
0.22
15.2
11.8
20.8
34.1
0.005
N/A
21.8
N/A
12.4
5.7
0.3
0.8
2012
74
116
0.35
0.18
13.3
13.7
21.8
33.6
0.003
N/A
26.6
N/A
10.1
9.3
0.3
0.7
2011
83
130
0.37
0.21
14.8
13.5
20.6
34.0
0.003
N/A
28.6
N/A
12.3
9.9
0.3
0.4
2010
88
92
0.35
0.15
14.4
12.2
20.4
32.1
0.004
N/A
25.1
N/A
9.0
6.8
0.4
N/A
2009
89
81
0.40
0.16
14.7
12.5
18.2
30.4
0.004
N/A
26.2
N/A
9.3
6.9
0.3
N/A
2008
100
91
0.45
0.21
16.7
11.8
20.6
31.5
N/A
N/A
20.8
N/A
12.6
6.5
N/A
N/A
2007
92
112
0.44
0.29
16.6
13.0
20.0
31.4
0.009
N/A
19.7
N/A
11.1
6.7
N/A
N/A
2006
100
103
0.46
0.33
18.0
14.2
21.8
31.8
N/A
N/A
21.1
N/A
11.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
2005
95
85
0.68
0.32
18.6
13.9
20.0
29.7
N/A
N/A
20.0
N/A
11.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
2004
98
89
0.63
0.32
18.5
16.6
20.4
29.8
N/A
0.003
21.5
N/A
9.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
2003
87
115
0.73
0.37
20.6
17.6
19.1
31.9
N/A
0.004
25.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2002
78
91
0.65
0.43
19.5
18.9
18.0
29.1
0.006
0.005
23.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2001
75
81
0.61
0.67
18.5
17.2
16.8
29.4
0.008
N/A
20.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2000
65
95
0.66
0.81
18.9
17.0
15.6
27.9
0.009
N/A
17.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
San Jose
Albuquerque
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
9%
6.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,785.3%
802.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
19%
9%
Transportation
San Jose boasts excellent public transportation, notably including the light rail system. Meanwhile, Albuquerque has been investing heavily in its public transit system, including the new ART (Albuquerque Rapid Transit) bus system. Both cities have international airports and robust highway networks.
Transport
Type
San Jose
Albuquerque
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
553
1
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
13
17
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Jose
Albuquerque
Bicycle
1%
0.9%
Bus
1.1%
0.8%
Carpooled
11.4%
9.6%
Car alone
80.5%
85.1%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.2%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Subway
0.2%
0%
Walked
3.3%
2.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Jose
Albuquerque
Average
29.2 min
24.5 min
Other means
27.9 min
20.8 min
Public transportation
48.5 min
37.8 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Jose
Albuquerque
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
87.3%
91.6%
In 2 person carpool
8.9%
6.6%
In 3 person carpool
1.9%
1.2%
In 4 person carpool
1.1%
0.3%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.6%
0.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
San Jose’s real estate market is one of the most costly in the nation, with sky-high home prices and competitive rental market. In contrast, Albuquerque’s real estate is much more affordable, with home prices well below the national average and a more favorable rental market.
Neighborhoods
San Jose has an array of diverse neighborhoods, from the high-end Willow Glen and Silver Creek to the more affordable East Foothills. Albuquerque offers a mix of historic neighborhoods like Old Town, artsy districts like Nob Hill, and suburban areas such as Northeast Heights.
Houses and residents
Type
San Jose
Albuquerque
Houses
340,561
256,814
Average household size (people)
3.1
2.4
Median year apartment built
1979
1983
Median year house/condo built
1973
1984
Length of stay in the house since moving in
15.6 years
12.6 years
Houses occupied
322,881 (94.8%)
243,582 (94.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
179,797 (55.7%)
147,964 (60.7%)
Houses occupied by renters
143,084 (44.3%)
95,618 (39.3%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$3,214
$893.82
Median monthly housing costs
$2,463
$1,021
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,197,016
$171,149
Estimated median house or condo value
Over $1,000,000
$251,500
Median numbers of rooms
4.9
5.3
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.6
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
6.2
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
$290,578
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$753,788
$636,758
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$680,453
$274,794
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$688,625
$224,872
Median house price - mobile homes
$240,963
$52,392
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$55,872
$35,209
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$892,629
$209,825
Median house price - All housing units
Over $1,000,000
$271,083
Median house age
45
38
Renting percentage
41.5%
39.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,947.6
1,421.7
House value disparities
21.2%
29.8%
Household income disparities
38.3%
45.9%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$197,583
$87,851
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$103,711
$63,195
Housing units without a mortgage
2,632 (2.1%)
1,631 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
13,499 (10.6%)
3,560 (3.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
124,224 (97.9%)
97,744 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
346 (0.3%)
309 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
16,249 (12.8%)
6,864 (6.9%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
14
11
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
1.1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.6%
0.3%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Jose
Albuquerque
One, detached
50.9%
61.4%
One, attached
11.5%
6.6%
Two
1.1%
1.0%
3 or 4
5.0%
6.1%
5 to 9
5.1%
4.7%
10 to 19
4.5%
4.7%
20 to 49
4.5%
4.8%
50 or more
14.2%
6.3%
Mobile homes
3.1%
4.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
28,517
14,060
State government workers
10,222
20,531
Unpaid family workers
472
359
Industries and Occupations
San Jose primarily thrives on the IT industry, with many residents working in software development, engineering, and other tech-related occupations. Albuquerque's job market is more focused towards healthcare, education, and retail, although there's a growing tech scene with companies like Intel and Sandia National Laboratories providing employment.
San Jose gives access to numerous world-class healthcare facilities, like the Stanford Health Care and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Albuquerque has quality healthcare facilities as well, notably including the University of New Mexico Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Jose
Albuquerque
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both cities have comprehensive infrastructures in place, but as a major tech hub, San Jose often pioneers innovative approaches to city planning and infrastructure development. Albuquerque, while not as technologically advanced, still boasts a robust infrastructure, with significant recent investments in key areas like public transportation.
Infrastructure
Type
San Jose
Albuquerque
Hospitals
20
36
TV stations
9
18
Arenas or stadiums
2
1
Bank branches located here
145
137
Bank institutions located here
25
24
Main business address for public companies
74
8
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
21
7
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Jose
Albuquerque
1999
3,839
2,651
2000
2,577
1,303
2001
1,953
752
2002
1,908
693
2003
3,578
1,022
2004
5,489
1,729
2005
6,994
2,199
2006
6,324
2,639
2007
4,298
1,575
2008
2,419
654
2009
1,631
368
Culture and Food
San Jose has a diverse cultural and culinary scene, due to its multicultural demographics. Here, you can find food from around the globe with a tilt toward Asian cuisines. Albuquerque’s culture is heavily influenced by its Native American and Spanish roots, with New Mexican cuisine being a local favorite.
Sports Teams
San Jose has two major professional sports teams, the San Jose Sharks (NHL) and the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS). Albuquerque doesn't house any major professional sports teams, but it does have the Albuquerque Isotopes, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Colorado Rockies.
San Jose, CA
Albuquerque, NM
