Albuquerque NM vs Cambridge MA — 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%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 117,794 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 55.3% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 3.3% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 8.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $1,041,988 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 33.7% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.3 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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