Albuquerque NM vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 55.3% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 3.3% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 8.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $871,599 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 44.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 37.5 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Seattle, 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 +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.8 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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