Albuquerque NM vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 287,339 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 39.3 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 55.3% | 53.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 16.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $507,575 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 56.6% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Plano, 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Plano, 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.6 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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