Albuquerque NM vs Arvada CO — 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%
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Arvada
122,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Arvada
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Arvada
40.2
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Arvada
5.2%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Arvada
1.0%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Arvada
2.6%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Arvada
15.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Arvada
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 122,835 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 40.2 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 5.2% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 82.8% | Arvada + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 15.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $113,396 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $56,655 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,653 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.9% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 6.0% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 50.0% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Arvada
$617,536
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $617,536 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 74.9% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Arvada
512
Arvada +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Arvada
3234
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 512 | Arvada + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3234 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Arvada
19.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 23.4% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.3% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.1% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.4% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.3% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Arvada
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Arvada
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Arvada, CO | 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 +
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Arvada
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Arvada
28.6 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.6 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Arvada is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
Compare More Cities
Albuquerque, NM vs New York, NYAlbuquerque, NM vs Los Angeles, CAAlbuquerque, NM vs Chicago, ILAlbuquerque, NM vs Houston, TXAlbuquerque, NM vs Phoenix, AZAlbuquerque, NM vs Philadelphia, PA