Albuquerque NM vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 75,721 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 55.3% | 48.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 2.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 6.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $765,686 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 45.2% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 40.1 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.4 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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