Albuquerque NM vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 124,865 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 4.8% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 9.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $534,732 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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