Albuquerque NM vs Allen TX — 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%
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Allen
107,684
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Allen
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Allen
38.5
Allen +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Allen
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Allen
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 107,684 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.5 | Allen + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 21.9% | Allen + |
| White | 55.3% | 55.7% | Allen + |
| Black | 3.3% | 10.6% | Allen + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 19.6% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 11.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $129,130 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $54,853 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 4.8% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 56.1% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Allen
$502,170
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $502,170 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 69.8% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Allen
442
Allen +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Allen
2339
Allen +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Allen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Allen
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.7% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.3% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.6% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.9% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.2% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Allen
74.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Allen
19.5 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 74.6°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 19.5 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Allen
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Allen
30.3 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 30.3 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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