Albuquerque NM vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 393,389 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 55.3% | 51.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 26.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $376,530 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 50.2% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.4% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 73.4°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 46.3 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tampa, FL | 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
Albuquerque +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.8 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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