Albuquerque NM vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Pueblo
38.1
Pueblo +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
2.7%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 111,514 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.1 | Pueblo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 4.0% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 70.3% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 3.3% | 2.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 0.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $55,305 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $30,949 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 19.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 22.8% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
60.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $286,326 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 60.8% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Pueblo
512
Pueblo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 512 | Pueblo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3234 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
15.1%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.0% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 18.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.1% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 53.7°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.1 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Pueblo is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 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, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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