Albuquerque NM vs Burlington VT — 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%
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Burlington
7.2%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 44,649 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 7.2% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.3% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 3.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Burlington
$39,027
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Burlington
23.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $68,854 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $39,027 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,829 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 23.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $510,361 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 39.8% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 23.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.3% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Burlington
36.8 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 36.8 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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