Albuquerque NM vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 71,455 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 4.6% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 3.3% | 6.3% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 5.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
$36,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $55,429 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $36,451 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 21.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 49.8% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Johnson City
639
Johnson City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 639 | Johnson City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2350 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 21.1% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.4% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Johnson City, TN | 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 +
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Johnson City is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 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, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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