Albuquerque NM vs Alexandria VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Alexandria
156,788
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Alexandria
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Alexandria
53.6%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Alexandria
18.2%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Alexandria
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 156,788 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.5 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 24.6% | Alexandria + |
| White | 55.3% | 53.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 21.1% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 6.3% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 18.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $113,638 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $77,935 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,581 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.4% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 8.4% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 65.8% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Alexandria
$679,447
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Alexandria
42.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $679,447 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 42.0% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 240 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1726 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Alexandria
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.7% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.0% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.6% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.1% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Alexandria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Alexandria
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Alexandria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Alexandria
31.8 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Alexandria, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 31.8 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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