Albuquerque NM vs Billings MT — 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%
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Billings
2.0%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 118,321 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.1 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 2.0% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 0.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 7.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $71,855 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $62,117 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 37.0% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $398,212 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Billings
433
Billings +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 433 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1984 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.0% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.1% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Billings
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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