Albuquerque NM vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 55.3% | 53.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 13.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $62,995 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $36,194 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 34.2% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 55.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 41.8 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.8 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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