A BALANCING ACT: Albuquerque ranked No. 17 in ‘Best U.S. Cities for Work, Life and Mental Health Balance’

In 2025, work-life balance is no longer a perk — it’s a priority.

As remote and hybrid work continue to reshape daily life, more Americans are choosing cities that support not just careers, but also lifestyle, flexibility and mental well-being.

With that in mind, CoworkingCafe released its third annual ranking of the “Best U.S. Cities for Work, Life and Mental Health Balance,” analyzing 100 major cities across metrics like work hours, remote flexibility, commute times, health care access, affordability, green space and more.

According to the study, Albuquerque continues to make a strong showing in the 2025 national rankings, holding firm in the Top 20 at No. 17 for work-life and mental health balance with a total score of 66.5 out of 100.

The city remains a standout for outdoor access, mental health support and overall livability. Here’s how Albuquerque performed in 2025:

• No. 16 nationally for overall mental health, supported by:
• Access to 38.9 acres of green space per 1,000 residents — the 11th highest rate in the country
• A 38-hour average workweek (No. 26)
• 10 recreational amenities per 10,000 residents (No. 28)
• 91.7% health insurance coverage (No. 43)
• An air quality score of 70
• Commute times are reasonable, averaging 22.2 minutes (No. 26)
• The city ranks No. 46 in affordability, with a cost-of-living index of 94.9 (No. 25 nationally) and a median household income of $65,604, up from $61,503 in 2024.
• Remote work adoption stands at 12.8% (No. 58), up from 11% in 2024, showing gradual improvement in workplace flexibility.