Albuquerque NM vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 176,666 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 55.3% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 23.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $36,477 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 31.4% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $438,754 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 55.7% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Salem
3001
Salem +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3001 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 41.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.4% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 39.7 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.5 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Salem 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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