Albuquerque NM vs Aurora IL — 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%
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Aurora
24,510
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Aurora
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Aurora
39.7
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Aurora
2.6%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Aurora
1.5%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Aurora
37.1%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 24,510 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 39.7 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 55.3% | 63.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 3.3% | 2.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 37.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Aurora
$62,462
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Aurora
$32,181
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Aurora
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Aurora
13.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $62,462 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $32,181 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.5% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 13.2% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $320,635 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 73.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 344 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1842 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Aurora
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Aurora
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Aurora
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Aurora
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.9% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Aurora
37.7 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 50.2°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 37.7 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Aurora
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Aurora
26.6 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.6 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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