Albuquerque NM vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 115,415 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.9 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 55.3% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 3.3% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 13.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 33.5% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $441,257 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 49.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.4% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.9% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 44.6 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.7 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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