Albuquerque NM vs Kent 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 84,389 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 55.3% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 3.3% | 2.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 31.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $35,662 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 27.0% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $657,911 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 39.1 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kent, 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
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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