Albuquerque NM vs Costa Mesa CA — 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%
Costa Mesa, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,416,645
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Costa Mesa
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Costa Mesa
N/A
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 55.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $1,416,645 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Costa Mesa
503
Costa Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Costa Mesa
2388
Costa Mesa +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Costa Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Costa Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Costa Mesa
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 25.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.9% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.7% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Costa Mesa
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Costa Mesa, CA | 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 +
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Costa Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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