Albuquerque NM vs Allentown PA — 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%
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Allentown
125,320
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Allentown
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Allentown
42.3%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Allentown
2.5%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Allentown
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 125,320 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 32.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 20.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 55.3% | 42.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 13.0% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 53.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Allentown
$53,403
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Allentown
$25,846
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Allentown
8.8%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Allentown
21.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Allentown
19.4%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $53,403 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $25,846 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,080 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 8.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 21.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 19.4% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Allentown
42.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $312,103 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 42.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 319 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1613 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Allentown
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Allentown
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Allentown
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Allentown
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Allentown
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Allentown
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Allentown
45.4 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 51.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 45.4 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Allentown
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Allentown
26.3 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.3 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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