Albuquerque NM vs Los Angeles CA — 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
47.2%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 36.9 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 55.3% | 37.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 8.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 47.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
37.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 37.8% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $956,465 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 36.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Los Angeles
503
Los Angeles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Los Angeles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.4% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 62.6°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 33.8 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Los Angeles is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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