Albuquerque NM vs Atlanta GA — 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%
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
499,287
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Atlanta
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
8.6%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
39.9%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
6.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Atlanta
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 499,287 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.0 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 8.6% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 39.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 46.9% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.0% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 6.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Atlanta
$57,405
Atlanta +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $81,938 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $64,063 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,405 | Atlanta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 17.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 58.4% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
$387,752
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
46.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $387,752 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 46.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 392 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1752 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 29.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.3% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.1% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Atlanta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
51.5 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 51.5 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Atlanta
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Atlanta, GA | 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 +
Atlanta
28.7 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.7 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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