Albuquerque NM vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 209,720 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 8.3% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 41.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 20.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $46,628 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $30,451 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 26.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 29.9% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 37.2% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 38.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.6% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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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