Albuquerque NM vs Austin TX — 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%
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Austin
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Austin
32.2%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Austin
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 967,862 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.5 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 18.1% | Austin + |
| White | 55.3% | 59.9% | Austin + |
| Black | 3.3% | 7.5% | Austin + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 32.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $91,461 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $59,427 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.5% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 58.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Austin
$511,264
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Austin
44.4%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $511,264 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 44.4% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Austin
442
Austin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Austin
2339
Austin +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Austin
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Austin
15.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Austin
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.1% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.9% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Austin
67.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Austin
34.9 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 67.2°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 34.9 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Austin
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Austin
25.8 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.8 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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