Albuquerque NM vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 507,478 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 55.3% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 3.3% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 26.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 31.5% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $435,670 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 71.8°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.7 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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