Albuquerque NM vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 55.3% | 39.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 3.6% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $58,734 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $28,942 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 18.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 27.5% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
60.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 60.2% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
El Paso
12.2%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 16.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 27.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 64.3°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.1 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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%.
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