Albuquerque NM vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Boise
235,701
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Boise
7.2%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 235,701 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.2 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 7.2% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.4% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 9.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Boise
$57,074
Boise +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,074 | Boise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $504,894 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Boise
18.6 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 18.6 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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