Albuquerque NM vs Bellingham 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%
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
9.1%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
10.0%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 92,367 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 9.1% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 10.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $65,821 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $42,120 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 18.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 46.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
45.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $669,185 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 45.2% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.7% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
35.3 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 51.7°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 35.3 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellingham, 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
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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