Albuquerque NM vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 147,649 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.3% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 3.3% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 20.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $53,328 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $30,409 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 8.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 21.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 23.2% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 53.8% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 44.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 15.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.0% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.1% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 36.2 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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