Albuquerque NM vs Kennewick WA — 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%
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Kennewick
38.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 23,594 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 55.3% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.3% | 3.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 10.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $433,399 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Kennewick
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 37.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.4% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.1% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 54.7°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 32.4 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Albuquerque, NM vs New York, NYAlbuquerque, NM vs Los Angeles, CAAlbuquerque, NM vs Chicago, ILAlbuquerque, NM vs Houston, TXAlbuquerque, NM vs Phoenix, AZAlbuquerque, NM vs Philadelphia, PA