Albuquerque NM vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 149,519 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 41.6 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 6.8% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 3.3% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 19.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 31.0% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $422,520 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Surprise, AZ | 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 +
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 32.8 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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