Albuquerque NM vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 55.3% | 36.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 15.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $60,698 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $37,669 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 8.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 22.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 34.6% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 52.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 57.1°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 48.5 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 34.5 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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