Albuquerque NM vs Fort Collins CO — 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%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 169,705 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 6.6% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 12.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $568,389 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 52.1% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Fort Collins
512
Fort Collins +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 512 | Fort Collins + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3234 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.7% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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