Albuquerque NM vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 125,983 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 55.3% | 45.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 25.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 39.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.8% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 32.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.6% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pasadena, TX | 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 +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 36.1 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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%.
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