Albuquerque NM vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 127,200 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 8.1% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 3.3% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 4.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $64,488 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $37,359 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,527 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 20.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 49.4% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Columbia
2418
Columbia +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 501 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2418 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.1% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.4% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 56.0°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 46.3 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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