Albuquerque NM vs Irving TX — 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Irving
255,036
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Irving
36.7%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Irving
43.0%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 255,036 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 32.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 55.3% | 36.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 12.9% | Irving + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 43.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $39,462 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 41.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $344,888 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 38.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Irving
442
Irving +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Irving
2339
Irving +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Irving + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Irving
16.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Irving
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.5% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 20.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Irving, TX | 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 +
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Irving
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Irving
26.0 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.0 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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