Albuquerque NM vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Las Vegas
38.5
Las Vegas +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
34.1%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.5 | Las Vegas + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 55.3% | 49.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 34.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $38,421 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 27.3% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $426,069 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 55.7% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2417 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.5% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.6% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 67.4°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.7 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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