Albuquerque NM vs Cheyenne WY — 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%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Cheyenne
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 58,754 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.0 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 2.1% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 3.3% | 0.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 0.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 8.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $69,171 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $41,460 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 30.0% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Cheyenne
$388,590
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $388,590 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Cheyenne
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Cheyenne
12.4%
Cheyenne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Cheyenne
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Cheyenne
13.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.3% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 16.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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