Albuquerque NM vs Grand Island NE — 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%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 55.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $66,354 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1960 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 41.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.8% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Grand Island
26.7 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 50.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 26.7 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. 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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