Albuquerque NM vs Bend OR — 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%
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Bend
97,502
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Bend
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Bend
2.8%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Bend
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 97,502 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.6 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 17.6% | Bend + |
| White | 55.3% | 65.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 3.3% | 2.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 17.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $94,279 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $51,659 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,691 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 49.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Bend
$735,193
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Bend
49.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $735,193 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 49.8% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Bend
355
Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Bend
3001
Bend +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 355 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3001 | Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Bend
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 26.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.0% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 46.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 11.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Bend
26.1 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.1 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
Compare More Cities
Albuquerque, NM vs New York, NYAlbuquerque, NM vs Los Angeles, CAAlbuquerque, NM vs Chicago, ILAlbuquerque, NM vs Houston, TXAlbuquerque, NM vs Phoenix, AZAlbuquerque, NM vs Philadelphia, PA