Albuquerque NM vs Bakersfield CA — 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%
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
408,366
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
46.9%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 408,366 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 31.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 19.9% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 55.3% | 46.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 6.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 7.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 53.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
$32,956
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
23.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $77,397 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $32,956 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 23.3% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
$396,712
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
60.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $396,712 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 60.2% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
13.4%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 34.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.6% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.4% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 64.0°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 8.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Bakersfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Bakersfield
25.1 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.1 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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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