Albuquerque NM vs Anchorage AK — 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%
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Anchorage
289,069
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Anchorage
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 289,069 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.9 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 10.9% | Anchorage + |
| White | 55.3% | 58.3% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 3.3% | 5.3% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 9.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 9.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Anchorage
37.7%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $98,152 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $49,338 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,233 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 37.7% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Anchorage
$414,014
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $414,014 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 63.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Anchorage
780
Anchorage +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 780 | Anchorage + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1849 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Anchorage
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Anchorage
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Anchorage
18.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Anchorage
14.4%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.0% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.4% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.7% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.4% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Anchorage
16.7 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 37.0°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 16.7 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Anchorage
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.4 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Anchorage is safer with a violent crime rate of 780 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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