Albuquerque NM vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 143,611 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 55.3% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 3.3% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 13.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $45,611 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $30,282 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 28.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 38.5% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 21.3% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.9% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 68.9°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 47.3 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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