Albuquerque NM vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Rochester
38.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 26,509 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 7.1% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.3% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 3.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 34.0 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.3 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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