Albuquerque NM vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 114,303 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 55.3% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 18.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $62,800 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $26,755 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 22.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $486,127 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 39.9% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 21.5% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 19.8 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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