Albuquerque NM vs Glendale AZ — 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%
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Glendale
271,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Glendale
9.6%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Glendale
3.4%
Glendale +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Glendale
17.5%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 271,118 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.7 | Glendale + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 9.6% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 72.7% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.3% | 3.4% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 6.6% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 17.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Glendale
$59,120
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $121,351 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $49,825 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.3% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.1% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 47.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Glendale
$408,630
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $408,630 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 73.9% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Glendale
32.9%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Glendale
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Glendale
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Glendale
17.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Glendale
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Glendale
13.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.9% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.7% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.2% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Glendale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Glendale
28.0 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.0 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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