Albuquerque NM vs Bismarck ND — 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%
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Bismarck
74,146
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Bismarck
2.5%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 74,146 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.2 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 3.6% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 3.3% | 2.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 3.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $77,608 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $44,475 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $71,089 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 38.7% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Bismarck
$373,227
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $373,227 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 65.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2037 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Bismarck
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Bismarck
19.6 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 42.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 19.6 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 16.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, 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%.
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