Albuquerque NM vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 55.3% | 39.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 29.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 45.5% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 37.8 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 36.5 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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