Albuquerque NM vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
47.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 154,751 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 10.2% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 40.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 47.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $51,339 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $27,054 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 8.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 25.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 19.7% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 49.5% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 39.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 21.1% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.5% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Springfield, MA | 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 +
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 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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