Albuquerque NM vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 55.3% | 53.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 41.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 32.3% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $411,323 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 57.1% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Phoenix
16.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Phoenix
12.2%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 72.1°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, 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 +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.7 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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