Albuquerque NM vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Montgomery
3.3%
Tie
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 198,440 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 5.5% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 27.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.3% | Tie |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 4.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $55,687 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $32,068 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $51,690 | Albuquerque + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 20.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 33.5% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 54.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 46.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 16.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.6% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.3% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 64.5°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 52.8 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
Albuquerque, NM vs New York, NYAlbuquerque, NM vs Los Angeles, CAAlbuquerque, NM vs Chicago, ILAlbuquerque, NM vs Houston, TXAlbuquerque, NM vs Phoenix, AZAlbuquerque, NM vs Philadelphia, PA