Albuquerque NM vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 68,505 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 55.3% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 3.3% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 3.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $561,069 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 46.7% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.8% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 47.3 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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