Albuquerque NM vs Pomona CA — 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%
Pomona, CA
California · Population: 148,391
- Median HH Income$78,869
- Median Home Price$689,570
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+19.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 148,391 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.4 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 55.3% | 22.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 5.3% | Pomona + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $28,131 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 19.5% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Pomona
54.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $689,570 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 54.6% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Pomona
503
Pomona +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Pomona
2388
Pomona +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Pomona + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Pomona + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Pomona
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Pomona
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.7% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Pomona
17.2 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 65.0°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 17.2 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 34.5 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Pomona is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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