Albuquerque NM vs Dayton OH — 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 136,741 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 5.0% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 51.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 5.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $43,454 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $26,381 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,300 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 9.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 27.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 20.7% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 48.2% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 42.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 17.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 21.6% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 20.5% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 40.3 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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