Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, has been sitting in the high desert since its founding as a Spanish colony in 1706. Today, “ABQ” spans 188.9 square miles, and has a median age of 37.1 (2022). The city’s economy is mainly driven by services, light manufacturing, and research and development.

Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo foothills of northern New Mexico, Sante Fe has established itself as a creative arts hotbed (it’s recognized by UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network). This state capital, founded in 1610, lies across 52.3 square miles, and has a median age of 44.4 (2022). Tourism and government are the main drivers of its economy.