Albuquerque NM vs Chandler AZ — 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%
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Chandler
278,123
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Chandler
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Chandler
37.4
Chandler +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Chandler
21.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 278,123 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.4 | Chandler + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 15.4% | Chandler + |
| White | 55.3% | 62.6% | Chandler + |
| Black | 3.3% | 5.2% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 11.4% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 21.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Chandler
$59,120
Chandler +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $103,691 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $51,746 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Chandler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.6% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.7% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 46.8% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Chandler
$524,013
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $524,013 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 65.6% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Chandler
450
Chandler +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Chandler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Chandler
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.2% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.1% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.1% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.7% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.4% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Chandler
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chandler, AZ | 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 +
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Chandler
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Chandler
26.1 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.1 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Chandler is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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