Albuquerque NM vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 426,845 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 55.3% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 3.3% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 10.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 48.0% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.1% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.7% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 30.6 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.2 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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