Albuquerque NM vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 268,959 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 55.3% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.3% | 3.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 24.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 35.7% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $570,934 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 49.4% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.5% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.8% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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