Albuquerque NM vs Downey 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%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Downey
114,617
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 114,617 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 55.3% | 21.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 0.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Downey
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Downey
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $68,378 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $23,265 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 10.6% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $888,820 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 33.7% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Downey
503
Downey +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Downey
2388
Downey +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Downey + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Downey
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Downey
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Downey
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Downey
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Downey, 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
Albuquerque +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 33.1 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Downey is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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