Albuquerque NM vs Colorado Springs CO — 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
483,099
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 483,099 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 7.4% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 3.3% | 5.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 18.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $44,893 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 41.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
61.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $451,202 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 61.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Colorado Springs
512
Colorado Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 512 | Colorado Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3234 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.0% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 16.5 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Colorado Springs, CO | 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
Albuquerque +
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.1 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Colorado Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 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, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
Compare More Cities
Albuquerque, NM vs New York, NYAlbuquerque, NM vs Los Angeles, CAAlbuquerque, NM vs Chicago, ILAlbuquerque, NM vs Houston, TXAlbuquerque, NM vs Phoenix, AZAlbuquerque, NM vs Philadelphia, PA