Albuquerque NM vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 289,691 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 55.3% | 28.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 25.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $664,939 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 28.8% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Jersey City, NJ | 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 +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 40.3 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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