Albuquerque NM vs Brownsville TX — 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%
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
188,023
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 188,023 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 55.3% | 45.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 0.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 0.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $48,675 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $21,338 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 24.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 22.3% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
59.9%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 59.9% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 40.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 18.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.7% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 36.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.3% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
27.4 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 74.5°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 27.4 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Brownsville
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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