Albuquerque NM vs Bellevue WA — 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%
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Bellevue
151,199
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Bellevue
38.3
Bellevue +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Bellevue
45.0%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Bellevue
2.2%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Bellevue
8.5%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 151,199 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.3 | Bellevue + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 42.1% | Bellevue + |
| White | 55.3% | 45.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 2.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 41.0% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 8.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $161,300 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $92,441 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.0% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.3% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 71.4% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Bellevue
51.9%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $1,527,243 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 51.9% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Bellevue
3409
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Bellevue
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 18.8% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.9% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.5% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 5.4% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 5.5% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Bellevue
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellevue, WA | 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 +
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Bellevue
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Bellevue
25.6 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.6 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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