Albuquerque NM vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 275,568 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 55.3% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 3.3% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 9.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $429,253 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 46.6% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.5% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 37.3 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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