Albuquerque NM vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 149,785 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 55.3% | 52.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 34.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $35,820 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 25.0% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 41.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.7% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.0% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 36.8 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 31.7 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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