Albuquerque NM vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Spokane Valley
37.6
Spokane Valley +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 105,460 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.6 | Spokane Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 5.1% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 7.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $35,235 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 24.8% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $414,734 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 57.5% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.1% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.4% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Spokane Valley, 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
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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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