Albuquerque NM vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 114,799 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 55.3% | 50.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 19.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $36,138 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 29.9% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $484,226 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 44.0% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.5% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.1% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 47.0 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 30.1 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 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, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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