Albuquerque NM vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 135,806 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 55.3% | 49.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 28.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $708,498 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 47.5% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 53.2 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 30.1 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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