Albuquerque NM vs Kansas City MO — 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
508,233
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 508,233 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 8.5% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 3.3% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 12.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 37.8% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 54.6% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 501 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2418 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 38.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.6% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 38.9 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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